Bow High School boys’ soccer coach Josh Smith is looking to build upon the success of last season after leading the Falcons on a fairytale run to win the Division II championship in his first season as varsity head coach.

They beat top-seeded Lebanon, to whom Bow had lost in the regular season, in a grueling 2-1 final, and now the Falcons seek to defend their title.

As a coach at ConVal, Smith was back-to-back D-II champion in 2018 and 2019. Smith had a special squad his first season at Bow and is looking to replicate that magic but does not want to get stuck in the past.

“Although we, you know, have that experience, it’s a new year, so we have to make sure we’re doing all the right things,” he said.

The Falcons start their season against tough competitors — first at home on Friday against Kingswood, which they beat 1-0 in penalty kicks in last year’s semifinal. Then on Tuesday, they will play away at Lebanon in a big rematch that could affect playoff seeding down the line.

Their third match of the season, on Sept. 6, is against the Campbell Cougars, who are newly promoted from Division III after becoming champions last fall and having a nearly undefeated regular season.

“We’re not necessarily thinking about the championship every day. We’re really just trying to focus on what we need to do that day,” said Smith. “We play Kingswood, then what do we need to do? And then if we focus on that stuff, then we get through that challenge, and we can push on to the next thing.”

Bow graduated many starters from its back line and will need to fill those positions first. Smith explained that being solid at the back will be key for his team because if it can limit opponents’ goal scoring opportunities and play well out from the back, it can succeed.

He also emphasized tactical flexibility, whether it be sitting further back, possessing the ball or pushing up and playing direct. It all depends on the opponent. After a season with the team, he’s set the tone and is more familiar with his players, so everyone is on the same page.

“Now that we’ve had more time together, I think that’s ultimately what’s going to be the biggest thing to drive how this thing comes together going forward,” said Smith.

Returning starters are seniors Luke Hartshorn, Ethan Anderson, Carter Weiss, Keenan Hubbard and junior Jake Reardon.

Top newcomers are juniors Ciaran Duffy; sophomores Milo Cocola, Clayton Nadzan, Blake Crowell; and freshmen Carter Hall and Ben Reardon.

“With several top quality teams in D-II every year, we will have to work quickly to blend our returning starters with role players from last season and new players in order to compete at the highest levels,” said Smith, who pegged Lebanon, Oyster River, Merrimack Valley and Hollis-Brookline as the teams to beat this season.

CONCORD

Division: I.

Coach: Scott Dunlop (30th year).

Last year: 5-11-0, did not make tournament.

Returning starters: Dean Ayotte, jr., F; Kaelen Williams, sr., D; Irankunda Mvuyekure, sr., F; Jeremy Malette, jr., F.

Top newcomers: DeDieu Lukuse, fr., M: Drayden Nyambo, jr., D; Sabin Darjee, fr., M; Samuel Iranzi, jr., F; Sumaili Ramadhani, so., D; Sankara Oumarou-Hamidou, jr., M; Martin Pennington, jr., M.

Outlook: After falling one draw shy of tying for the final playoff spot, the Tide are working toward a better outcome this year.

“Young talented group looking to grow each day with their training and play,” Dunlop said. “We are relying on our returning starters to provide consistency to their teammates. Team wants to establish an identity with a more offensive style of play this season compared to previous years.”

Teams to beat: Londonderry, Pinkerton.

COE-BROWN

Division: II.

Coach: Christian Gompert (13th year).

Last year: 9-8-1, reached quarterfinals.

Returning starters: James McKane, sr., D; Casey Colby, sr., D; Bruce LaPierre, sr., D; Ryan Kouchoukos, sr., M; Liam White, sr., M; Caleb Jones, sr., M; Brady Colgan, jr., F; Tommy Maskwa, so., F.

Top newcomers: Steve Phillips, jr., G; Cam Lee, sr., D; Oliver Ford, jr., M.

Outlook: “Most of our team is intact from last year, from defenders up through forwards. With a combination of veteran experience and the new players coming in, we are seeing a lot of depth,” said Gompert. “There is quality in every spot, which means training is more lively and there is a hunger. We never really know how we will fare until we start playing some matches, but we expect to be able to compete with the top teams.”

Teams to beat: Bow, Lebanon, Oyster River.

JOHN STARK

Division: II.

Coach: Zach Shedlock (third year).

Last year: 2-14-0, did not make tournament.

Returning starters: Lucas Bell, Rio Calle, Lucjan Heino, Lyncoln Jablonski, Ben Lanier

Top newcomers: Blake Maxwell, Owen Gitchell.

Outlook: “Our team this year will be one that fights for every win and will push teams to their limits in a loss,” Shedlock said. “Nothing will be easy against this driven team. Strong leadership and a cohesive unit that is looking to succeed and reach playoffs.”

Teams to beat: Bow, Lebanon.

MERRIMACK VALLEY

Division: II.

Coach: Ken Fuller (10th year).

Last year: 9-7-1, reached prelims.

Returning starters: Joey Olivera, sr., F; Logan Vong, sr., F; Carysn Perkins, sr., M; Rutger Gilliland, jr., M; Carter Lankhorst, so., D; Eli Wormald, sr., D.

Top newcomers: Jacob Baggett, jr., G; Davian Loiselle, jr., D; Greg Dawson, jr., M; Riley Moore-Jahn, fr., M.

Outlook: The Pride had some high highs and low lows in 2023, handing No. 1 Lebanon its only loss during the regular season and also falling to No. 11 Plymouth at home in the first round of the postseason tournament, but the talent is there for a deeper run in 2024.

“We return a lot of key pieces from the team last year, and we are excited to start to put it all together on the field,” Fuller said. “The guys have been working hard all summer and are eager to show what they can do as a group. This group has a lot of very talented players, and it will be a fun team to coach. They will need to continue to stay focused on what our goals are for us as a team which will allow them to work hard in every game.”

Teams to beat: Bow, Lebanon, Oyster River, Hollis-Brookline.

PEMBROKE

Division: II.

Coach: Drou Goff (second year).

Last year: 8-8-1, reached prelims.

Returning starters: Brandon Lurvey, jr.; Charles Braga, jr.; Dom Davis, jr.; Dom Sapounas, sr.; Jacob Hanson, jr.; Owen Stewart, sr; Paul Regnier, sr.

Top newcomers: Brody Ricci, so.

Outlook: Many players on this year’s team were a part of last season’s squad that won six games in a row in the second half of the season to nab a playoff spot after starting out 1-6-1.

“(We have) a large junior class, many players familiar with the system and expectations for the program,” Goff said. “The group is excited to pick up where we left off last year and get to work from game one.”

Teams to beat: Oyster River, Lebanon, Bow, Hollis-Brookline.

BELMONT

Division: III.

Coach: Mike Foley (25th year).

Last year: 8-8-1, reached prelims.

Returning starters: Keegan Martinez, sr., F; Owen Waldron, sr., M; Jaxson Embree, sr., G; Landon Bormes, jr., M; Jake Michelson, sr., M/F; Brady Thurber, sr., M; Nate Allard, sr., M/F; David Haskell, jr., D/M; Brady Fysh, jr., D; Wyatt Bamford, so., D; Brody Ennis, so., M; Logan Glennon, so., M/F; Kyle Waldron, so., M/F.

Top newcomers: Mike Collette, sr., D; Brennen Geoffrey, fr., D/M; Nicolas Loeper, jr., F.

Outlook: The Raiders look to rebound from a very good building year last season that ended with a three-game winning streak and a playoff berth.

“We have lots of leadership on the team with Owen Waldron, Jaxson Embree and Keegan Martinez as captains,” Foley said. “There are some fresh new faces that will contribute right away as we look to build a strong team base over the season.”

Teams to beat: Hopkinton, Prospect Mountain, Gilford, St. Thomas, Kearsarge.

BISHOP BRADY

Division: III.

Coach: Carlos Fuertes (first year).

Last year: 6-10-1, reached prelims.

Returning starters: Jake Blanchette, F; David Cameron, D; Ryan Casey, D; Cole Chandler, D; Anthony Dow, M; Kevin Dunn, D; Andrew King, M; Alexander King, M; Henry Thresher, G.

Top newcomers: Cooper Albee, D; Nicholas Hayes, M; Joshua Jabo, F; Leo Li, M; Mason Noel, M.

Outlook: “Our goal is to improve on (last year’s) record,” Fuertes said. “We still have a lot of work to do to find the right dynamic. During the jamboree this past weekend, the team started to get better, and as long as we continue with that progress we will do well this season.”

HILLSBORO-DEERING

Division: III.

Coach: Joseph Gillett (third year).

Last year: 11-5-1, reached prelims.

Outlook: The Hillcats have won 11 games in each of the past two seasons and are hoping that translates into a longer tournament run this time around.

HOPKINTON

Division: III.

Coach: Scott Zipke (19th year).

Last year: 15-4-0, reached semifinals.

Returning starters: Michael Pantano, sr., D; Aframe, sr., D; Travis Windhurst, sr., D; Nate Windhurst, sr., M; Fin Murphy, jr., M; Nolan Linstad, jr., F.

Top newcomers: Deegan Tomaz, sr., M; Hunter Ecknor-Naylor, jr., G; Kristof Cauley, jr., F.

Outlook: The Hawks improved signifcantly last year from 2022’s 5-10-2 campaign. Hopkinton advanced all the way to the semifinals but fell in penalty kicks to eventual champion Campbell.

“After graduating 11 guys, we are looking to find our new identity as quickly as possible,” Zipke said. “A large junior contingent moving up to the varsity level will hopefully be able to compete as the season progresses.”

Teams to beat: Mascoma, Prospect Mountain.

KEARSARGE

Division: III.

Coach: Couper Gunn (third year).

Last year: 11-6-1, reached quarterfinals.

Returning starters: Gunnar Benedict, sr.; Graham West, sr.; Alex Spinney, sr.; Brady Donovan, sr.; Jacob Messer, jr.

Top newcomers: Bryce Selby, fr.

Outlook: “The team has begun to take on an identity we have been working towards for the past three seasons,” Gunn said. “The team is incredibly well-rounded with lots of depth off the bench, and I expect us to surprise a lot of people. Our goal is the same as it has always been: state championship and nothing less.”

Teams to beat: Gilford, Kearsarge, Derryfield.

WINNISQUAM

Division: III.

Coach: Thomas Osmer (fifth year).

Last year: 7-9-0, reached prelims.

Returning starters: Colby Blackburn, sr., M; Justin Tardif, sr., M; Victor Pham, sr., D; Jacob Twombly, sr., G; Brendan Goodwin, sr., multi; Taber Haggett jr., F.

Outlook: After many years in the making, the Bears have reached the playoffs in each of the last two seasons. Winnisquam graduated 11 seniors, but Osmer still sees plenty of reasons for optimism.

“We had a large roster last year, so there was a lot of depth and the quality of our players won’t drop off despite the large graduating class,” Osmer said. “We have a lot of capable players, and there is plenty of competition for those starting jobs. As with any team, with so many new players, in order to become an effective unit, we will need to organize correctly, and we need the chemistry that comes as a result of some real game experience. The season is short so we need to get up to speed quickly.”

CONCORD CHRISTIAN

Division: IV.

Coach: Craig Anthony (seventh year).

Last year: 13-2-3, reached quarterfinals.

Returning starters: Jayden Young, sr., G; Koen Melder, sr., D; Isaac Kirby, sr., F; Logan Duffy, sr., D; Micah Pouliot, jr., D.

Top newcomers: McGregor Anthony, fr.; Isac Black, fr.; Noah Twombly, fr.

Outlook: The Kingsmen look to incorporate some young, talented freshmen into a solid midfield and returning back line and goalie.

PITTSFIELD

Division: IV.

Coach: Logan LaRoche (second year).

Last year: 0-14-0, did not make tournament.

Returning starters: Brayden Pelletier, sr.; Cam Witham, sr.; Elias Gates, sr.; Jared Landry, sr.; Owen Clark, fr.; Mason Weldon, fr.; Caleb Cassin, sr.; Jacob Cassin, so.

Top newcomers: Braiden Elliot, eighth grade; Cayden Bunton, eighth grade; Trevor Danton, fr.

Outlook: The Panthers are one of the younger teams in D-IV, but this group has a lot of experience on the field, with many of them playing year round.

“The key for our group is going to be on the physical side of the sports,” LaRoche said. “Our young guys are far more experienced than their age would suggest, but the Panther boys will have to use communication and ball skills to be successful this year.”

Pittsfield hasn’t won more than one game in a season since 2021 and were outscored 89-7 last year.

“I think this is a team ripe for a turnaround season,” LaRoche added. “The energy that the boys bring to practice everyday is encouraging. We feel very confident that we will surprise some folks this year.”

Teams to beat: Concord Christian, Portsmouth Christian.