Lisa Wales is beginning her second year as head coach of the Marblehead High School girls soccer team, and after only a few days of practice she likes what she sees.
“The first few days have been great,” Wales said. “The girls are working hard, and the freshman class has come in ready to play. But I have really been impressed with the entire team’s effort and preparedness for the season.”
These Magicians finished up with a 9-4-5 regular season record last fall and were the 10th seed in the Division 2 power rankings. They then dropped a 2-1 double OT decision to Northampton (14-3-3), the 23rd seed, in the Round of 32 of the state tournament.
Turning the page to a new season, Wales welcomed 65 players to tryouts for the first day of practice on Aug. 18. They will eventually be sorted out to fill up the varsity and the two JV rosters. Sydney Ball, Sadie Halpern and Ashley Mortensen are this year’s varsity captains.
The rosters are not etched in stone, according to Wales.
“We are still in the process of evaluating the players,” she said. “But we have 10 returning seniors, who are all strong players.”
Wales had scheduled four scrimmages to help determine the rosters, and one was against host North Reading on Aug. 21. The Marblehead girls ended up losing to the Hornets, 4-2. They then faced Pingree away from home two days later (after the Current’s press deadline), before taking on Hamilton-Wenham on Aug. 27 at 5 p.m., and Lynnfield on Aug. 29 at 2 p.m. Both these scrimmages are also road encounters.
Wales expects a lot from her girls this year.
“Our expectations are high this year, because we have a talented team,” the veteran coach said. “The key for us is to remain healthy. We also have a core group of seniors that have the technical skills and experience to lead us this year.”
Wales singled out seniors Courtney Hitscherich, Samara Dosch and Liv Carlson, along with the aforementioned captains. Juniors Ainsley McDonald, Callie Gilmore and Hailey Gilmore and sophomore Lucy McDonald are also included on the coach’s list of pivotal players.
Marblehead will remain on the road to open up the regular season against conference rival Masco in Boxford on Sept. 3 at 4 p.m. The Magicians will then be at North Andover on Saturday, Sept. 6, to take on the Scarlet Knights in a non-league contest at 3 p.m., before returning to Piper for the home opener versus rival Swampscott on Sept. 8 at 4 p.m.
