The 2026 Chittenden County high school field hockey season is set to begin on August 28, kicking off a schedule that will run through mid‑October before the first round of playoffs arrives on October 20‑21 and the championship games follow on October 30‑31.
Team Profiles
Burlington High School enters the year under first‑year head coach Melissa Langham, bringing back key contributors Tilda Jatlow‑Carter and Marzie Shulman while adding newcomers Willa Saunders and Ester Micenberg. The team is focused on tightening defensive‑midfield‑offensive communication and targeting two or three wins.
Champlain Valley Union High School, coached by Tucker Pierson, is rebuilding after losing several starters. With only three returning players, the program emphasizes player development and clearer communication on the field.
Colchester High School, led by Shawn Lefebvre, returns a solid core of forwards and defenders but must replace former goalie Trinity McCarthy and address a thin midfield, relying on seniors Allie Lewis and Harlow Hier to fill the gaps.
Essex High School, under Barbra Isham, boasts one of the county’s most experienced rosters, having retained two‑thirds of last year’s squad. The team plans to maximize scoring chances and exploit speed and stick‑skill advantages in penalty corners.
Milton High School’s Lindsay Church has assembled a group of seven seniors who helped the team secure its first playoff victory since 2014. The seniors will anchor the forward line as the team works to overcome early‑season formation issues.
Mount Mansfield Union High School, coached by Paige Manning, expects a strong campaign thanks to an eight‑senior class. The program is placing a premium on conditioning and leadership, with the seniors driving the effort.
Rice Memorial High School, guided by Kelly McClintock, qualified for the MAX Field Hockey tournament and is determined to become Vermont’s strongest team. Despite losing senior leadership, the squad’s speed and endurance, honed through 43 tryouts, give it a chance to leave a lasting legacy.
South Burlington High School, led by Anjie Soucy, returns nearly its entire roster, losing only one starter. Motivated by recent semifinal success, the young squad, anchored by five seniors, aims to keep the competitive streak alive.
Overall, the season promises a blend of rebuilding projects and title‑contending squads, with each program shaping its identity through conditioning, teamwork and strategic adjustments as the calendar moves toward October’s playoff showdowns.