This time last year, Marblehead’s girls’ soccer team still didn’t have a coach. It wasn’t until five days before the season started that Lisa Wales was brought on to helm the program.

“I think it was a great first season. It was definitely a whirlwind,” Wales said. “It was a little bit of baptism by fire, but I really feel like, looking back, we had a great season, not necessarily by wins and losses, but as a program and building our culture. I’m excited to build on that.”

Now in year two, Wales gets a full preseason, to which she looks to make the most of it.

“The team played in a summer league that was coached by the parents. They had a lot of incoming ninth graders join, which is terrific, because that’s a great way for them to meet people already in the program and get a feel for the game at the high-school level,” Wales said. “The team will also be doing other camps and participating in the Crusader Cup at Bishop Fenwick in August.” 

Preseason officially begins on August 19. That said, Wales knows she’s going to be without some key veterans that were part of the team last year. 

“We had 12 seniors graduate. They were great and I certainly learned a lot from them,” Wales said. “My hope is that we’re going to have a competitive team. I think we created a lot of chances and opportunities to score last season, but we didn’t always finish those chances.” 

Wales’ goals: score more, and make the most of every chance. 

“We were in a lot of games against some excellent teams, and we would lose by one goal,” she said. “My hope is that we’ve been through that and faced adversity, so I’m hoping we keep creating those chances, but put more of them away… hopefully, some of those 1-0, 2-1 games go in our favor.” 

Ava Machado and Sophie Robinson will be captaining the program.

“Ava played striker last year, but this year, will likely play outside back. She’s incredibly fast. She was a state champion alongside Sadie in the track relays. I’m looking to utilize her speed on the outside,” Wales said. “Sophie will be up in the striker position. She’s a great target for us and does an excellent job trapping and shielding the ball, and then passing it off to her teammates. I’m looking forward to both her and Ava leading the team.” 

As for another returner, look no further than leading goal-scorer Sadie Halpern. 

“Sadie was our leading scorer last year and will be one of our strikers. Sydney Ball is also returning and will be in the midfield, in addition to sophomore Ainsley McDonald, who will be anchoring our defense,” Wales said. “We have incoming freshmen and some kids coming off terrific JV seasons, too, to be in the mix.” 

McDonald was only a freshman last fall.

“I really can’t say enough of her – not only as a soccer player, but just as a student-athlete. She’s a really humble, young woman. What Ainsley has the ability to do is anticipate the play and she finds the seams on the field,” Wales said. “Her skills are excellent and she can pick a pass anywhere on the field. She doesn’t rush anything and her ability and vision are going to be perfect in the center back position.” 

Something else Wales is looking forward to is the quality – and quantity – of soccer players who continue to come through the Marblehead Youth Soccer Association. 

“I think we will have close to 65 kids trying out for three teams, which is a healthy number. That’s a lot compared to the other NEC (Northeastern Conference) programs,” Wales said. “Soccer is alive and well here in Marblehead, and we’re going to build through our youth program.”