It was a little bit of a whirlwind for first-year coach Shannon Haley when she took over the Newburyport field hockey program ahead of the 2022 season.
There were of course plenty of senior leaders on that team to help make it an easier transition, like with former captains Lilly Ragusa and Lily Chorebanian. But there were also plenty of new faces stepping into different and important roles, as well as a big class of freshmen that were learning high school just as much as Haley was learning her new position.
Little did she know, though, that one of those freshman would go on to become a scholarship player and two-year captain for her.
From Day 1, Riley Lombard was a starting varsity athlete for Haley.
And now four years later, Lombard ends her fantastic high school career being named our 2025 Daily News Field Hockey MVP. She’s moved around between defense and midfield during her Newburyport tenure, but has excelled no matter where she’s played on the field. The two-year captain never missed a game, and ends her Clipper run with a sparkling 67-14-5 record with a state runner-up (‘23), Final Four (‘22), quarterfinal (‘24) and Round of 16 (‘25) appearance across both Divisions 2 and 3.
We repeat: 67 wins.
Just an absurd number for the program, which has been a model of excellence during Lombard’s career. And the senior captain closed with her best season yet, doing a bit of everything to lead Newburyport (15-4-1) to the Round of 16 in the program’s first year up in Division 2. She was one of the scoring leaders this fall for the Clippers, as well as a stout defensive midfielder — and member of the team’s corner kill unit — that helped the team post nine shutouts.
After the regular season, Lombard was named the CAL Kinney MVP.
And she also was selected to play in the prestigous Best of 60 All-Star game put on by the Massachusetts State Field Hockey Coaches Association.
But as far as the season went, Lombard put together her best offensive game when she poured in four goals during a win over Triton. She assisted on three goals in a blowout victory over a good North Reading program, and found the back of the cage in other wins over Triton and Central Catholic.
Then under the bright lights of the postseason, Lombard still delivered against the best competition the Clippers saw all year. She assisted on the opening goal in a shutout victory over Mansfield in the opening round, then had both a goal and an assist in what ended up being a losing effort against Reading in the Round of 16.
The program is sad to see Lombard go, but her field hockey journey isn’t over.
Lombard leaves Newburyport as a two-time Daily News All-Star and two-time All-CAL First Team selection (1x MVP for both). But she is committed to continue her career at powerhouse Saint Anselm, which just won the Division II National Championship in 2024.
Lucy Nachtygal
Amesbury, Soph., Midfield
It’s clear that Amesbury has its next great field hockey player. Two-year starter improved into one of the best players in the league, earning a spot on the 15-person All-CAL First Team after the regular season. It was a rebuilding year for the program with not a lot of wins, but the midfielder still found a way to stand out. As a team, the Redhawks scored eight goals on the season, and Nachtygal was involved in seven of them. Finished the fall with 4 goals and 3 assists. Found the back of the cage during a win over Rockport. Also scored against North Reading, Hamilton-Wenham and Newburyport, and had assists against Ipswich and the Clippers. The Redhawks scored five of those goals across the last five games of the year, building momentum into next season. Plays club field hockey for the Northeast Elite U16 Black Team.
Olivia Wilson
Newburyport, Sr., Forward
Two-time Daily News All-Star and two-time All-CAL First Team selection. A top scorer in the entire state who poured in over 40 goals. This after the three-year starter scored 20 goals as a junior and 16 as a sophomore. Team captain led Newburyport (15-4-1) to the Round of 16 in its first year up in Division 2. Her senior class went a combined 67-14-5 with a state runner-up (‘23), Final Four (‘22), quarterfinal (‘24) and Round of 16 (‘25) appearance. Selected to the prestigious Best of 60 Senior All-Star Game. Scored during the team’s playoff victory over Mansfield. Poured in a season-high five goals against Rockport. Had four goals against Central Catholic, and hat-tricks against Belmont, Manchester Essex and Essex Tech. Other two-goal games against Triton, Pentucket, North Reading, Lynnfield and Ipswich. Honor Roll student is also a three-time Daily News Hockey All-Star (2x MVP) who entered her senior season on the ice with over 100 career points.
Olivia Kreuz
Newburyport, Sr., Defense
Defensive specialist ends excellent career a two-time Daily News All-Star, and made the jump up to the All-CAL First Team this year after being named to the CAL All-Star Second Team as a junior. Team captain helped lead Newburyport (15-4-1) to the Round of 16 in its first year up in Division 2. Her senior class incredibly went a combined 67-14-5 with a state runner-up (‘23), Final Four (‘22), quarterfinal (‘24) and Round of 16 (‘25) appearance. Leader of Clipper back line that posted nine shutouts with three other one-goal games. The Clippers surrendered just 23 goals all year with a positive differential of plus-66 (89-23). A staple on the corner kill unit who helped to lead a shut out of Mansfield in the first round of the playoffs. The Clippers also shut out Division 1 Central Catholic, and posted other blankings of Essex Tech (x2), Manchester Essex, North Reading, Rockport, Pentucket and Triton.
Lottie O’Brien
Newburyport, Jr., Midfield
Multi-year starter took that next step forward this season and was named to the CAL All-Star Second Team. Helped Newburyport (15-4-1) reach the Round of 16 in the program’s first year up in Division 2. Her junior class now holds a combined record of 51-10-3 with a state runner-up (‘23), quarterfinal (‘24) and Round of 16 (‘25) appearance. All-around player was a team scoring leader, but also starred defensively to help the Clippers post nine shutouts with three other one-goal games. Found the back of the cage in wins over Triton, Manchester Essex and Ipswich, and had an assist in another victory over Rockport. Helped the Clippers shut out Mansfield in the opening round of the playoffs, as well as record other clean sheets against Central Catholic, Essex Tech (x2), Manchester Essex, North Reading, Rockport, Pentucket and Triton. Is also an Honor Roll student.
Ari DeRosa
Newburyport, Soph., Midfield
Already a two-year starter who now earns her first Daily News All-Star nod. Helped Newburyport (15-4-1) reach the Round of 16 in the program’s first year up in Division 2. Across two years, her class now has a combined record of 30-8-3 with a quarterfinal (‘24) and Round of 16 (‘25) appearance. Was selected by the Massachusetts Field Hockey Coaches Association to their Rising Sophomore Squad. Finished as a team scoring leader, assisting on goals in wins over Manchester Essex and Ipswich. But the all-around player also did her part defensively, helping the Clippers post nine shutouts with three other one-goal games. The Clippers shut out Mansfield in the opening round of the playoffs, and recorded other clean sheets against Central Catholic, Essex Tech (x2), Manchester Essex, North Reading, Rockport, Pentucket and Triton. Is also an Honor Roll student.
Morgan Gallant
Pentucket, Sr., Midfield
Multi-year starter put together her best season, earning a spot on the 15-person All-CAL First Team. Co-captain led Pentucket (6-9-3) to another solid year in the league. Did a bit of everything for the team. Finished with 3 goals, 7 assists and a defensive save. Scored twice in a victory over Amesbury, with her other goal coming against crosstown rival Haverhill. Assisted on the game-tying goal in a draw against North Reading. Also starred defensively to help the Panthers post six shutouts with three other one-goal games. Clean sheets came against Rockport, Amesbury, Central Catholic, Essex Tech, Haverhill and Hamilton-Wenham. Two-sport standout scored 8 goals with 2 assists for the lacrosse team last spring. Honor Roll student is an ambassador for Morgan’s Message.
Hannah Bub
Pentucket, Sr., Goalie
Two-year starting goalie went out earning a spot on the 15-person All-CAL First Team. Co-captain led Pentucket (6-9-3) to another solid year in the league. Finished the season with 219 total saves — an average of 12.2 per game — to go along with six shutouts. Posted those clean sheets against Rockport, Amesbury, Central Catholic, Essex Tech, Haverhill and Hamilton-Wenham. Made 19 saves in a draw against Essex Tech, and 16 saves against North Reading. Another 17 stops against Manchester Essex, 16 more against Newburyport and 11 against eventual Kinney-champion Lynnfield. Made 17 saves in that shutout draw against Central Catholic, 9 saves in a win over Triton, 7 saves against both Amesbury and Ipswich and 4 saves in a victory over Haverhill. Honor Roll student has also been a goalie for the HPNA ice hockey team her entire high school tenure.
Delaney Quinn
Triton, Sr., Midfield
Fantastic career ends a two-time Daily News All-Star, two-time Second Team CAL All-Star (‘23, ‘25) and one time All-CAL First Teamer (‘24). A four-year varsity athlete who helped Triton (5-10-2) make it back to the Division 4 playoffs in each of the last two seasons. All-around midfielder was a team scoring leader, while also starring defensively. Co-captain helped the Vikings post four shutouts that came against Rockport, Amesbury, Pentucket and Tewksbury. Assisted on both goals in a 2-1 win over Essex Tech. Scored a goal against Rockport and Amesbury. Played strong all-around game in a loss to CAL rival Manchester Essex in the first round of the playoffs. Also a multi-year starter and former CAL All-Star in lacrosse who scored 8 goals last spring. Is a High Honor Roll student at Triton Regional.
Maggie Rennick
Triton, Jr., Forward
Three-year varsity athlete continues to improve every season, earning her first spot on the CAL All-Star Second Team. Team scoring leader has helped Triton (5-10-2) make the Division 4 playoffs in each of the past two years. Scored a goal in a season-opening victory over Essex Tech. Put together a big 2-goal, 2-assist performance in a win over Rockport. Poured in a hat-trick in a shutout win over Amesbury. Had the game-tying goal in a huge 2-2 draw against a good North Reading program. Found the back of the cage in a non-league win over Tewksbury, then again in a victory over rival Pentucket. Played strong all-around game in a loss to CAL rival Manchester Essex in the first round of the playoffs. Leadoff batter and starting outfielder for the softball team hit .412 (33-for-80) last spring with 23 runs scored.
Honorable Mention
Amesbury — Gabi Peixoto, Sr., forward; Hope Shanahan, Jr., midfield
Newburyport — Rachel Casson, Sr., defense; Cody Saboliauskas, Sr., goalie; Kendall Martyn, Frosh., midfield
Pentucket — Cassidy Roche, Sr., forward; Haylie Gagnon, Jr., defense
Triton — Peighton Hertigan, Sr., forward; Riley McDonald, Sr., midfield; Ava Johnson, Sr., midfield; Sophia Stanley, Sr., defense; Adeline Stapleton, Sr., defense