By KEN HAMWEY

Staff Sports Writer

The Natick High girls soccer team is acutely aware of the expectations for the 2024 season and it’s fully cognizant of the change in leadership the program has undergone.

Last year, the Redhawks defeated Bishop Feehan of Attleboro, 2-0, for its second Division 1 state title in the last three years. And, during the last six seasons, Natick has played for a state championship three times. 

 

Winning the 2023 state title was no easy task, considering the playoff opponents. Natick defeated Boston Latin, Weymouth and Concord-Carlisle before getting even with Brookline, the only team to leave a blemish on the Redhawks’ overall record of 21-1-1. In the state final, Natick “pitched a shutout’’ against Feehan and 14 players in that match are Redhawk returnees. That’s why expectations are high.

The architect for the program’s past success — coach Dave Wainwright — now is coaching the Wellesley High girls varsity, and his departure no doubt will create some adjustments because the transition involves two new head coaches. 

Natick’s new co-head coaches are not only familiar with the players and the program, but they’ve both coached the Redhawks jayvees. Denise Trubiano spent 12 years at the JV level and Kari-Ann Daley has been Natick’s freshman coach for seven years and the JV coach for the last five.

They’re both very knowledgeable about soccer but they also know there’s pressure — on the players and the coaches.

“We’ve got a good core group with experience but we’re the reigning champs and any team that beats us will have a feather in their cap,’’ said Trubiano, who coached as an assistant for the Millis girls for the last three years. “The players and the coaches will have to be prepared every day.’’

Daley admits the pressure will be huge because “the girls have a target on their backs.’’ But, she’s optimistic in Natick’s approach. “The girls know what’s been achieved in the past and that success isn’t lost on them or the coaches,’’ she emphasized. “We have to take one game at a time and the players have to focus on their roles.’’

The new coaches are definitely focused on their goals for this season.

“We want to qualify for the tourney, go deep and have some luck along the way,’’ they said. “We also want to strive to improve daily, in terms of development and leadership, continue to develop our skills, build team chemistry and stay healthy.’’

The coaches are in a positive place so far, primarily because of the team’s strengths and the early returns in Natick’s first four matches. The girls have compiled a 4-0 record by taming Brookline, Framingham, Newton North and Weymouth.

“We’ve got solid senior leadership, the girls have a high soccer IQ, they’re instinctive and have speed and quickness,’’ said Trubiano and Daley, who both are on Natick High’s faculty. “They’re also skilled, have natural talent and know the value of team chemistry.’’

The Redhawks’ captains — seniors Olivia Penn (midfielder), Cassidy Moriarity (midfielder/defender) and Kendall Hacker (defender) — “all lead by example, are communicative and supportive.’’

“Olivia has great field vision, is very good in transition and has endurance,’’ the coaches said. “An adept passer, she gets great touches and is skilled with the ball. Cassidy is powerful, strong and fearless. Tenacious on defense, she’s great in the air, handles transition well, her technique is solid and her soccer IQ is high. Kendall is solid on the back line. A smart player, she’s the heart and soul of our defense. Confident and strategic, there’s no panic in  her game.’’

Two senior defenders — Stella Boggis and Kira Henderson — play key roles. “They had breakout seasons last year,’’ Trubiano and Daley noted. “They round out the defensive line, have great work habits, are very skilled and are hungry for more success.’’

Seniors Allegra Gagnon (midfielder) and forward Megan Mela are top-notch in their roles. “Allegra is a workhorse and she’s tough in the midfield,’’ the coaches said. “Her instincts and endurance are outstanding. Megan provides a nice touch, she’s a capable scorer and she knows the game.’’

Two juniors who provide goaltender depth are Katie McMahon and Leisl Niedermeyer. “They give us experience and depth and they’re well-skilled,’’ the coaches said. “Their reactions are quick and they’re able to effectively direct the defense.’’

Three other juniors the coaches are counting on are twins Lydia and Nicole Proia at striker, and Abby McCauley in the midfield. “Lydia and Nicole are phenomenal, fast and skilled,’’ they offered. “They also have good field vision and are prolific scorers. Abby is scrappy and fearless in pursuit of the ball. She’s also a capable passer and strong in transition.’’

Trubiano and Daley will complement one another well but they’ll get input from volunteer coach Erik Hacker who’ll instruct the jayvees. He’s had three daughters who’ve played soccer at NHS.

Both Trubiano and Daley have a similar coaching philosophy, which emphasizes reaching one’s potential. “If our players are reaching their potential and having fun competing, then winning will be the by-product,’’ they concurred. “We also believe that athletics mirror real life. Some valuable life lessons that can be learned in sports are how to lead and be a good teammate, how to learn from mistakes and how to overcome adversity and be resilient.’’

Trubiano and Daley are both 47 and have strong links to Natick.

Trubiano graduated from NHS in 1995, was a captain and a Bay State Conference all-star in soccer. She played one varsity season at Lafayette College where she majored in Spanish and economics. She earned her masters from Framingham State in education and Spanish, has been on the Natick High faculty for 25 years and is the chairman of the language department.

Daley is a 1995 graduate of East Bridgewater High where she ran track and played soccer. A four-year varsity competitor in both sports, she was a captain in track and soccer and was a South Shore League all-star in soccer for two seasons. She’s been on the NHS faculty for 22 years, teaching psychology and also is an assistant coach for the girls lacrosse team.

The coaches and the players know and understand the challenges of the 2024 campaign. They also know about the expectations, and both the players and the coaches are aware of the adjustments that come when transitioning to a new leadership team.

So far, after four matches, the girls soccer team at NHS is off to a dynamic start.