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A Letter from the Athletic Director
Welcome back to another exciting school year at St. Thomas Aquinas High School! Our fall season is already off to a strong start, with teams preparing over the summer and now competing with energy, focus, and heart. From the first practices to the opening games, our student-athletes have shown what it means to represent STA with pride. Their commitment to hard work, sportsmanship, and team spirit is inspiring to watch.
Our coaches, too, deserve tremendous recognition. They have dedicated themselves not only to building skills and strategies, but also to instilling discipline and values rooted in our mission. The lessons learned on the fields, courts, and courses are far beyond the game, shaping leaders for life.
This fall is also a time of great celebration for our school community. The construction of our beautiful new chapel, named in honor of Saint Carlo Acutis, is a powerful reminder of the spiritual foundation that guides everything we do. We also look forward to welcoming back our Saints alumni at Homecoming, gathering to share memories and cheer on our teams. And of course, our annual golf tournament will bring families and friends together in support of our programs.
Thank you to all who continue to support our student-athletes, whether from the stands, at events, or through your prayers. Let’s embrace this school year with joy in the classroom, in competition, and in faith.
Go Saints!
David Morissette – Director of Athletics
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St. Thomas Aquinas Senior, Talula Gregg Represents at USA U19 National Team Combine | |
This summer, Talula Gregg (shown on the right), a senior at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, was invited to participate in the USA U19 National Team Combine, held at the USA Lacrosse headquarters in Sparks, MD. She was one of only 70 girls in the country selected to attend, as part of the developmental pathway toward the 2028 Olympic lacrosse team.
Over four days, Gregg competed in scrimmages alongside some of the top players in the nation, while also being tested in speed, agility, and game performance. The athletes attended panels on the mental side of lacrosse, learning strategies to apply focus and mindset skills directly into live play.
Gregg (Vanderbilt University Commit) also had the opportunity to be coached in stations and small-sided drills by many of the influential female players she has admired growing up. “I felt like playing with the top players helped me grow because I was challenged to match their level,” she said.
Overall, Gregg described the combine as an amazing and inspiring experience that not only pushed her athletically, but also gave her a deeper understanding of the game and its future.
| St. Thomas Aquinas High School Appoints Daniel H. De Tolla as Head Coach of the Boys Lacrosse Team | |
St. Thomas Aquinas High School is proud to announce the appointment of Daniel H. De Tolla as the new head coach of its boys’ varsity lacrosse program. De Tolla succeeds Scott Singer, who stepped down after four seasons for family reasons.
De Tolla is a highly decorated former player and veteran coach. At Half Hollow Hills East High School (1988–1990), he was a two-year starter in both varsity soccer and lacrosse, captaining both teams as a senior and earning First Team All-County honors in lacrosse during his junior and senior years. At Yale University (1990–1994), he was a four-year starter on defense, honored as an Honorable Mention All-American as a sophomore and two-time Second Team All-American as a junior and senior. He was uniquely elected as the sole team captain his senior year and represented the North squad in the Division I North-South senior game.
Following college, De Tolla served as a defensive consultant and model player for the USA Lacrosse Progression Video Series and captured the California State Club Championship with a Yale-UNC-Brown alumni team—all in 1994–95. He began his coaching career in Buffalo as assistant coach at Williamsville South and defended as head of defense at Millon Lacrosse Camps through 1998. After a decade focused on medical school and family, De Tolla helped build youth lacrosse in New Hampshire from 2006 onward. He served as Portsmouth High School defensive coordinator (2006–2016), founded U9/U7 programs for Seacoast Lacrosse (2007 onwards), and coached multiple NHYLA State Championship teams across youth travel clubs. He also previously served as the defensive coordinator at STA in 2017–18.
“As someone who has been coaching in the Seacoast community since 2006—from youth levels to high school—I’m honored to lead the varsity lacrosse program at St. Thomas Aquinas,” said De Tolla. “I’m now able to dedicate myself year-round to the program and to the development—spiritually, physically, and intellectually—of our athletes. I want our team to have the highest lacrosse IQ in New Hampshire and represent St. Thomas with class.”
“Dan not only possesses the lacrosse background required for this role, but he also understands and embraces the mission of St. Thomas Aquinas,” said STA Athletic Director David Morissette. “He has tremendous energy and a commitment to year-round development, discipline on and off the field, and a vision to build a strong, value-based program.”
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“SISTER ACT”
Six Sets of Sisters on the St Thomas Field Hockey Team
This fall, the St. Thomas Aquinas Saints field hockey team is doubling the fun and maybe doubling the sibling rivalry. With six sets of sisters suiting up together. From walk-up songs to arguments, they shared their best stories about what it’s like to compete side by side. Here are six questions we asked them (They could not check answers with each other ahead of time).
| Left to Right: Emma/Nora Massicotte, Sophia/Charlotte Kelly, Maci/Maryn Gorman, Elizabeth/Paige Pelletier, Mackenzie/Payton Baker, Bea/Harper Burlage | |
What would you choose for your sister’s walk up song and why?
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Beatrice Burlage picked Beyoncé’s Run the World (Girls) for Harper, while Harper shot back with Lizzo’s Where the Hell’s My Phone because Bea “can never find it.”
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Payton Baker went with Live the Night, a car ride staple, while Mackenzie chose Father Stretch My Hands, a song Payton used to sing with their older sister every day.
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Maryn Gorman chose Katy Perry’s Firework to capture Maci’s spark, while Maci picked Gwen Stefani’s Sweet Escape because it’s their go-to dance anthem.
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Charlotte Kelly said Sophia’s song would be Rihanna’s Breaking Dishes, while Sophia returned the favor with All of the Lights by Kanye West (because “she loves the spotlight”).
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Emma Massicotte went nostalgic with Harry Belafonte’s Jump in the Line, a childhood kitchen dance classic, while Nora picked Alicia Keys’ Girl on Fire for her determined, sometimes fiery, sister.
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Paige Pelletier chose Nicki Minaj’s Check It Out for Bizzie, calling it a “hype, sassy song,” while Bizzie picked Tate McRae’s Just Keep Watching for Paige.
Which sister is more competitive and why?
- Bea says Harper “never backs down from a challenge,” while Harper simply declared, “Me, I always win.”
- Payton admitted she’s driven to prove herself as the oldest, but Mackenzie confirmed, “Payton is definitely more competitive.”
- Maryn gave the edge to Maci for her love of bragging rights, while Maci thought Maryn is more competitive when it comes to sibling battles.
- Charlotte called Sophia the competitor, always trying to outdo herself, but Sophia disagreed “I am, I always win 1v1s.”
- Emma proudly claimed the title as the oldest sibling, but Nora agreed: “Emma is definitely more competitive she hates losing to us younger ones.”
- Paige said Bizzie is “scrappy in a good way,” while Bizzie simply stated, “Me, I want to be better than her.”
What is one of the funniest/embarrassing things your sister has done (that you can share)?
- Bea remembered Harper’s childhood terror of pirates, constantly checking under her bed for Blackbeard. Harper countered with the time Bea got lost driving to a school she’d attended for seven years, proving her sense of direction is nonexistent.
- Payton recalled Mackenzie tumbling down the stairs in Costa Rica with her shoe ending up on her leg, while Mackenzie remembered Payton posing like every mannequin in a Utah store.
- Maryn laughed about Maci chasing her across a beach bridge demanding a chocolate muffin, while Maci recounted Maryn’s full-speed collision with a laser tag wall.
- Charlotte teased Sophia for slipping in the rain during lacrosse, while Sophia responded with, Charlotte tripped on the airport escalator and tried to play it off as stretching (Kelly sisters going after each other staying on their feet).
- Emma shared Nora’s skunk incident, complete with an emergency Walmart dress, plus a suction cup mishap that left bruised lips for a week. Nora got revenge with a ski lodge tale: Emma wiped out in her boots, lost the car keys, and stranded the family for hours.
- Paige teased Bizzie about the time she accidentally walked onstage during a magic show before being awkwardly sent back, while Bizzie laughed about Paige’s epic public Heely crashes twice in one shopping trip.
Who takes longer to get ready for practice/game day and why?
- Bea confessed she’s the slowpoke, while Harper agreed.
- Payton said Mackenzie takes longer doing her hair, while Mackenzie admitted, “I never do anything the night before.”
- Maryn takes extra time because she also does Maci’s hair.
- Charlotte said Sophia always takes longer, while Sophia confirmed, “Me, I’m picky about how everything looks.”
- Both Massicottes said Emma takes her time, and both Pelletiers agreed Bizzie is slower goalie gear adds to the delay.
Who's more likely to win an argument and why?
- Harper insisted she always wins because she “never backs down.” Bea agreed.
- Payton confidently declared victory in every debate, and Mackenzie gave her credit: “She has the best comebacks.”
- Maryn said arguments go back and forth, but admitted Maci often edges her out. Maci, of course, claimed she finishes what Maryn starts.
- Charlotte said Sophia wins thanks to being older, but Sophia disagreed “Me, I always get the last word.”
- Emma said she wins with stronger points, while Nora argued she wins because she knows when to stop (making Emma look worse).
- Paige declared herself unbeatable, while Bizzie admitted she usually gives up because Paige “never stops talking.”
What do you look forward to in playing on the same team with your sister this year?
- Bea and Harper are cherishing the time before Bea leaves for college.
- Payton, a senior, is excited to finish her Saints career with Mackenzie, while Mackenzie looks forward to Payton’s advice and competing with her in drills.
- Maryn is proud to watch Maci grow, while Maci loves sharing high school sports, goals, and wins together.
- Charlotte and Sophia both look forward to practicing outside of team time and pushing each other to improve.
- Emma enjoys coaching Nora through drills and connecting across grades, while Nora looks forward to their passing chemistry and blasting music on the ride home.
- Paige said her best teams always had Bizzie on them, while Bizzie loves laughing and making memories alongside Paige.
Thank you to these wonderful sisters for opening up and talking about each other. Remarkable young ladies and we look forward to a great Field Hockey season!!
Saints Pride
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Field Hockey
Talula Gregg '26, Emma Massicotte '26, Lizzy Holden '26
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Girls Soccer
Mallory Baker '27, Maia Scanlon '26, Irina Steinberg '26, Charlotte De Tolla '26
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Cross Country
Amelia Monteiro '26, Ava Malloy '26,
Leah Ryan '26, Oliver Schartner '26,
Dominic LaRose '26
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Volleyball
Kaity Kelly '26 & Alaina Hathaway '26
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Golf
Joe Mollica '26 & Ryan Allard '27
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Football
Kenny Avery '26, Jack Brennan '27,
Cole Masiello '26
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Boys Soccer
Luke Daly '26, Brady Livas '26,
Angus Forman '26
| | Spirit Week is off to a great start! Please see the schedule below to join in on the fun! | | |
Fall Sports Season Updates
Girls Soccer 7-0
Coach Hureau has reloaded and is back at it again! With a strong mix of talented freshmen and experienced upperclassmen, they’re off to a perfect 7-0 start, leading Division 3. Having won back-to-back championships and made it to the title game in each of the last four seasons, could this be the year they complete the three-peat?
Boys Soccer 7-0
Coach Ethan Rech's boys' soccer team has been steadily improving over the past four years, and now they’re 7-0, sitting at the top of the Division 3 standings for the first time in years. Since Rech took over in 2022, the team has progressed further each season. Could this finally be the year they make it to the championship? It would be their first appearance since 2008.
Football 2-1
The football team is under new leadership and Coach Scott Bray's squad is starting to gel. They kicked off the season with a tough 47-14 loss to defending champs Souhegan, but quickly bounced back with strong performances against Pembroke and Merrimack Valley, shutting out both teams!
Field Hockey 6-0
For the first time in school history, the STA field hockey team has come out swinging with a perfect 6-0 record, sitting atop Division 3! After hosting their first-ever first-round tournament game last year, they’re now setting their sights on even bigger goals. Could this be the year they make a serious run for the championship?
Volleyball 4-3
Volleyball kicked off the season with a tough, but competitive 3-1 loss to defending champions, Somersworth. Since then, they’ve been bringing the heat, sweeping 3 of their 6 opponents. With a 4-3 record, they’re currently tied for 11th place in Division 2 and are gearing up for some tough competition ahead.
Golf 15-5
The golf team has been delivering solid performances all season long. With three regular-season meets remaining, they hold a 12-5 record and are currently ranked 5th in Division 2. They’re looking to carry this momentum into the postseason for a strong finish!
Cross Country
Both the boys' and girls' cross country teams have strengthened this year, each fielding full squads! They've kicked off the season with impressive performances, securing top-5 team finishes in their first few meets. Now halfway through the season, they're aiming to finish strong and build on their early momentum!
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Football: October 3rd
Girls Soccer: October 6th
Field Hockey: October 9th
Volleyball: October 10th
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