Coach Lisa Wales steps into her third year at the helm of the Marblehead High girls soccer program, guiding a roster that exceeds 60 athletes and blends a wave of freshmen and sophomores with seasoned upperclassmen.
Season Outlook
The 2024 campaign ended with a 12‑1‑5 record, securing second place in the Northeastern Conference and earning a berth in the Elite 8 before falling in the state championship to Longmeadow, a 3‑1 defeat that underscored the team’s competitive edge.
Statewide rankings placed the Marauders at No. 20 across all divisions, reflecting their standing among the top programs in Massachusetts. Returning starters include tri‑captain AInsley McDonald, alongside Cam O’Brien, goalkeepers Hailey Gilmore and Lily Heller, and defenders Callie Gilmore, while senior leaders Lucy Church, Alma Gaunt, Stella Smith and Phoebe Fontela‑Tuttle are expected to provide depth and experience.
The upcoming schedule begins on September 8 with a road match at Danvers, followed by home games at Masco, Swampscott and a contest against Peabody at Piper, and includes four preseason scrimmages against North Reading, Bishop Fenwick, Hamilton‑Wenham and Lynnfield.
Wales emphasizes that every program in the league is expected to be a contender, and she intends to have her squad competitive in each fixture as they pursue conference dominance and a return to the state title game.