EASTHAM — Nauset Regional High School sports returned to the court and fields on Monday as the fall sports season officially got underway. Football held a first practice last Friday.
The Warriors will field varsity teams in seven sports: football, field hockey, boys golf, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls soccer, volleyball, and coed unified basketball.
Nauset moved down to Division 3 in soccer, field hockey, and volleyball following realignment by the Mass. Interscholastic Athletic Association. Football remained in Division 4. In previous seasons, the Warriors were affected by realignment in basketball, lacrosse, softball, and tennis. Boys ice hockey was already competing in Division 3.
“I think Division 3 is where we belong right now with our current enrollment,” said Nauset Director of Athletics John Mattson. Nauset has roughly 840 students. “We were on the very small side of Division 2 and were very competitive overall — we should be able to continue that and be in line with more schools our size.”
Boys golf will look to return to the postseason after narrowly missing out last year. They will be led by junior Jack Martin, who finished tied for 11th at the Division 2 State Championship as an individual competitor, and senior Charles Sullivan. They open their season at the Captains Golf Course against Cape Cod Academy on Sept. 5.
Girls soccer boasted a 17-2-1 record a season ago before falling to Longmeadow in the Division 2 State Tournament. The Warriors will be without starting goalkeeper Pepper Escher, who has moved to Worcester Academy. But they will be experienced, with the potential to have seven seniors on the team, including Boston University commit Olivia Avellar. They begin the year at Pembroke High School on Sept. 5.
Boys soccer went 14-5-1 in 2022 but saw their season end at Melrose in the Division 2 State Tournament. The Warriors graduated a host of seniors, including top scorer Nate Watring. The boys start the season at Dennis-Yarmouth on Sept. 5.
Boys cross country is coming off a strong 6-2 season, and they’ve lost just one senior. Girls cross country went 4-4 and has lost just one runner to graduation; nine were underclassmen in 2022. They will open the year with a dual meet against Sturgis East on Sept. 6.
Field hockey notched one more win a season ago than they did the previous year, finishing at 9-7-3. The Warriors ended the year with a three-game winning streak before losing to Hopkinton in the state tournament. The team, including last year’s freshman sensation Julia Kipperman, begins the year at home against Bridgewater-Raynham on Sept. 6.
Volleyball lost six seniors but will return a strong core of players. The team is looking to improve on a 4-14 record under head coach Sunny Hunter. The Warriors open the year at Frontier Regional School on Sept. 3.
Upcoming games
Thursday, Aug. 24
Boys soccer: The Warriors welcome Sandwich for a scrimmage at 5:30 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 25
Volleyball: The Warriors have a scrimmage against Mashpee at 10 a.m.
Girls soccer: Nauset hosts St. Marys Jr/Sr High School for a 3:30 p.m. scrimmage.
Saturday, Aug. 26
Boys soccer: The Warriors host Ludlow, Hingham, and Weymouth for a jamboree beginning at 9 a.m.
Monday, Aug. 28
Field hockey: The Warriors travel to Mashpee for a scrimmage at 9 a.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 30
Boys soccer: The Warriors have a scrimmage at Mansfield at 4 p.m.
Girls soccer: Nauset hosts Mashpee for a 4:30 p.m. scrimmage.
