Girls Lax

Girls Lax

Phoebe Christenson and Marissa Latini 

The Exeter girls lacrosse team walked off their own turf last spring one win short of a championship, and now they return this season with something to prove. After graduating several key players, the Bluehawks enter the 2026 season with a younger roster and new opportunities for underclassmen to step into larger roles. While losing experienced players could be a setback for many teams, Exeter is approaching this season as a chance to grow and build something new.

Head coach Angela Palmer believes the upcoming season will be about development and opportunity. “The 2026 season shapes up as a rebuilding year for the Girls Lacrosse team, but it’s one filled with promise,” Palmer said. “With a strong core of talented players and an incoming freshman class ready to make an impact, this season will be about growth, developing chemistry, sharpening skills, and laying the foundation for future success. Several seniors are expected to lead the team this year. On offense, senior attackers Phoebe Christenson and Racquel Battle bring energy and experience to the attacking end. Defensively, seniors Marissa Latini and Lizzie DeLello will anchor the backline, while senior goalie Molly Byrne returns as a major presence in the cage after recording over 100 saves last season.”

Byrne believes the defensive unit will continue to develop as the season begins. “The defense lost a lot of people last year, almost half of the field,” Byrne said. “But there are a lot of spots to fill, and it will be interesting to see who steps up from JV or the freshman class.” She added that several freshmen have already shown potential during preseason indoor sessions and could become important contributors this year.

Senior defender Lizzie DeLello is confident the defense will quickly come together despite the changes. “I believe that the defense will have no issue uniting together as one and being very strong,” DeLello said. “A whole new unit might actually be just what we need. Starting fresh helps everyone get on the same page from the beginning.”

The team will also rely on several younger players to step into larger roles this season. Juniors like defender Izzy Vadala and midfielder Grace McIlroy are expected to play key roles in both offense and defense. McIlroy believes the offense has already shown promising signs during preseason play. “I think our offense will be great this year,” McIlroy said. “We’ve been focusing on quick ball movement and two-man games, and it’s already been evident in our indoor games.”

Several sophomores are also expected to make an impact this season. Players like Riley Benevides, Claire Wilhelm, and Josie Drunsic represent the next wave of talent for the Bluehawks and could play important roles in Exeter’s offensive motion and draw circle. One player to watch this season is sophomore Riley Benevides, a versatile midfielder known for her speed, strong left-handed shot, and ability to contribute on both offense and defense. Benevides plays a key role in the draw circle and uses her defensive pressure to create opportunities for Exeter’s offense.

On the defensive end, senior Marissa Latini returns as one of the Bluehawks’ most reliable players. Latini played a major role in several big games last season, including Exeter’s close matchup against Bedford where she faceguarded one of their top players and prevented her from touching the ball. She also helped shut down her assignment during the Nashua South quarterfinal game, allowing zero shots on goal. As a senior leader, Latini is now responsible for helping organize the defense and communicating adjustments on the field.

Despite roster changes, the team remains confident in its ability to compete with top programs in the division. “I don’t think we will struggle this season,” McIlroy said. “We have the depth and teamwork to fill the roles of the players we lost.”

The Bluehawks will face several important matchups this season, including games against Souhegan and Bishop Guertin. Exeter defeated Souhegan by one goal last spring in a close and intense matchup, and both teams are expected to be competitive again this year. Preseason rankings currently place Souhegan second and Exeter fourth, setting up another exciting contest between the two programs. Another key game will come at the end of the regular season when Exeter faces Bishop Guertin. After last season’s intense matchup, both teams will be looking to prove themselves again in what could be an important game for playoff seeding.

Exeter’s schedule begins April 13 against Windham and continues through late May. While the season may include some growing pains, Coach Palmer believes the program is moving in the right direction. “We have a lot of talented sophomores and a great class of incoming freshmen,” Palmer said. “The future looks bright for EHS Girls Lacrosse.” 

For the Bluehawks, the 2026 season isn’t just about replacing players… it's about building something new. With experienced leadership, emerging young talent, and a competitive schedule ahead, Exeter hopes to once again make a strong impact this spring.

2026 Roster:

Phoebe Christenson (Senior, Attack)

Marissa Latini (Senior, Defense)

Lizzie Delello (Senior, Defense)

Molly Byrne (Senior, Goalie) 

Racquel Battle (Senior, Attack)

Brooke Battle (Senior, Attack)

Josephine Vadala (Senior, Attack)

Izzy Vadala (Junior, Defense)

Grace McIlroy (Junior, Mid)

Maggie Lilly (Junior, Goalie)

Kelsey Hayward (Junior, Attack) 

Riley Benevedies (Sophomore, Mid)

Claire Wilhelm (Sophomore, Mid)

Josie Drunsic (Sophomore, Attack)

Kaya Cargill (Sophomore, Defense) 

Evie Lafreniere (Sophomore, Attack)

Anna Higgins (Sophomore, Defense) 

Avery Carrigan (Freshman, Mid)

Mikayla Sprague (Freshman, Mid)

Addy Gwinn (Freshman, Mid) 

2026 Exeter schedule: