Zoey Gilbert of Messalonskee dribbles the ball ahead of the defense against Mt. Ararat during a 2024 field hockey game in Oakland. Anna Chadwick/Morning Sentinel

1. Skowhegan: True, the River Hawks’ streak of 22 straight regional titles came to an end last year, but that was a team of mostly freshmen and sophomores that coach Paula Doughty said overachieved to reach the Class A North final. Now, with the majority of that team back, Skowhegan is back to looking like the team to beat. Key players return all over, led by all-conference-caliber players Faith Pease at forward, Grace Mayo at midfield and Lillian Smith at defense. Forward Dasia Alberico, midfielder Charlotte Haynie and back Jaiden Dodge also return to starting spots. The X-factor could be freshman goalie Michelle Williams, who Doughty said is already an “outstanding” mix of athleticism, intelligence and dedication.

2. Messalonskee: The Eagles were a top-three seed in Class A North last year, and they have the firepower to be in that position again. Sophia Ventimiglia, a first-team all-conference player, is back providing the scoring punch, Chloe Masse has progressed into one of the region’s top center midfielders, and defensive midfielder Zoey Gilbert and center back Miranda Gifford return as linchpins of the defense. Addie Hafford (forward) and AJ Pettengill (goalie) are also back after strong seasons, and Elsie Bell has impressed this fall in her new position of left back. The seniors are strong and the freshmen are promising. If the sophomores and juniors step up, Messalonskee could be a regional favorite.

3. Gardiner: The Tigers improved from nine regular season wins to 11 last year and should match if not exceed that total this fall. The team brings back one of Class B’s best offensive players in Brynnlea Chaisson, who causes problems for defenses with her speed and stick skills and whose 25 goals last year were the most in Gardiner’s long field hockey history. The Tigers aren’t a one-person show, however; Macy Hickey had seven goals and 12 assists last season, and Davyn Swindell produced 12 goals and eight assists. Avery Croll is back in net, and Anna Tweedy, who combines speed with a good feel for the game, will be a playmaker at either midfield or forward. A catch? Taylor Hebert is the only returning back, so the defense will have to come along with new pieces.

4. Mt. Blue: The Cougars reached the Class A North semifinals last year and should be a favorite again. Start with continuity, with nearly 80% of the scoring production (39 of 49 goals) back in the fold. Kali Judkins, who has 19 career goals and six assists, is back after being named a unanimous first-team all-KVAC pick. Senior Lily Huntley is a talented stick handler at midfield and forward, senior Grace Allen resumes her role as the defensive stopper, and senior Morgan Hersey led the team with 10 goals a year ago. Two X-factors: junior goalie Gwen Lesperance, who has eight shutouts each of the past two years, and senior forward Brooklyn Webber, who stepped away from the game after middle school but has returned and could provide Mt. Blue with another finisher up front.

5. Winthrop: Yes, Madeline Wagner is gone, as are her 138 career goals — second all-time in Maine — but a Ramblers program that has won seven straight Class C South titles and four straight state championships should stay in the hunt for hardware. Olivia Huri, a first-team pick in the MVC who can control the offense and defense, becomes the central piece. Emily Kempton, a senior, is a smart, seasoned player and defensive linchpin at center back, and junior Cyara Harriman is back as the starting goalie. Junior Piper Clark and sophomores Gracelyn Folsom and Evelyn Mortimer, who was second on the team in goals, also return to starting spots. Scoring for the first time in years will be a question mark, but if it’s settled, Winthrop will still be a team to beat.