Newton North's field hockey team lost 2-1 to Wellesley in a Bay State Conference Carey division game Wednesday, Sept. 9, at Wellesley.

The result was a tough early test for the Tigers. Newton North entered the season ranked sixth in MassLive's preseason BSC field hockey rankings published Sept. 8, while Wellesley came in at No. 2 behind three-time defending MIAA Division I state champion Walpole.

Head coach Lauren Baugher's squad finished 2025 at 4-10-3 and lost in the MIAA Division I Round of 32 to Belmont. The Tigers lost conference All-Star Lexi Blanchfield to graduation but return two key pieces: junior midfielder Ashlyn Baugher, the only sophomore to earn BSC first-team All-Star honors in 2025, and senior captain Brianna Arzuaga, a BSC Honorable Mention selection who plays on both the offensive and defensive corner units.

Lauren Baugher called Arzuaga and Ashlyn Baugher "key players on our team" in MassLive's Sept. 8 preseason preview, noting both would anchor the corner teams on offense and defense. The Tigers entered 2026 aiming to advance past the Round of 32 for the first time since 2021.

Wellesley went 17-2 in 2025 and reached the state semifinals. The Raiders graduated 10 seniors but return nine varsity players, including sophomore goalkeeper Bridget Young, who was selected to the U16 USA Field Hockey Nexus program and named Goalie of the Match at the Under Armour Select Game over the summer. Wellesley head coach Erin Stickle said in MassLive's Sept. 8 preview that she expected Young to be a leader in the circle this season.

The Boston Herald also confirmed the final score in its Wednesday roundup.

In other BSC Carey action Wednesday, Natick defeated Framingham 8-0 and Milton shut out Brookline 2-0.