BY RYAN O'CONNOR

Salem ended Goffstown’s field hockey campaign the last two seasons, including a 2-1 defeat in the 2005 title game.

This year, the Grizzlies opened against the two-time defending state champs.

Though the result was similar, a 5-0 home loss to the Blue Devils, Jess Brown, in her fourth year as varsity coach, isn’t expecting a championship-game rematch.

She said she wants to see her young charges progress and learn enough that they can contend for a title in 2008 and 2009.

“We have a lot of ability that we’re hoping we can start to develop and get back into that competitive Class L field hockey mode,” said Brown. “You would always like to have a competitive season, but we have a lot of growing and a lot of learning, and we have a pretty tough schedule. So we’re looking to be competitive, see how well we play and who we can beat this year.”

Still, should the Grizzlies advance to the postseason again, anything is possible, Brown said, noting her 4-9-1 and 12th-ranked team upset fifth-seeded Londonderry in last year’s first round before losing to Salem.

Of the 36 players on varsity and JV, 27 are freshman and sophomores. The 16-athlete varsity squad consists of five seniors, four juniors and seven sophomores.

Sophomore Tricia Larivee enters her second season as starting goalkeeper, giving the Grizzlies stability and experience in net.

“It’s a nice blend in that it’s a team with equality through the classes,” said Brown. “Every class is well represented, so no matter who comes off the bench, you’re going to have a similar level of play on the field.”

Captains Kaitlyn Comeau and junior Sarah Smith, both midfielders, lead this year’s squad.

“We’re looking to put up a fight and see what happens during the season,” said Brown.