The John Stark girls field hockey team has no feeder program at the middle school level, and prior to this season, the Lady Generals won once in the program’s first seven years.

Yet Nicole Richardson is maintaining a positive attitude as she enters her fifth season as the varsity team’s head coach. After all, she knows her team won’t compete for titles in the foreseeable future, but participation is up. For the first time in the program’s history, there are enough athletes to warrant a junior varsity squad.

Also, the girls on the field have fun, and they’re developing as players.

“More girls are coming out, which is a step forward, and the attitudes are excellent. They want to stay with the team and win some games,” said Richardson. “The problem is our seniors have less experience than most freshmen at other schools who have been playing since fourth or fifth grade. All we can do is keep building and hopefully in the next couple years get a feeder program.”

In the meantime, senior Candace Hubner-Raley and Danielle Dupois lead a young unit that looks to win a couple contests and gain confidence going forward. The two captains rotate between center midfield and center back, said Richardson.

Another senior, Bridget Franciscovich, is a constant threat to put the ball in the net. She’s already done so once this year.

Sophomore Jacqueline Boisvert, the team’s other regular scorer, has already notched two goals this season.

Seniors Megan McCosh and Megan Kehr are also expected to play significant roles this season, as are three newcomers, junior Kelsey Therrien and freshmen Bryce Beliveau and Meredith Capuco.

Others seeing time on the varsity playing field are Katie Bighinatti, Paige Brochu, Brandi Connary, Taylor Frarie, Morgan Rice, Nicole Soucy and Bryanna Thibeault.