By David Klimasmith, Belmont Voice correspondent
As the final whistle blew on the Belmont Girls’ 2025 season, a 4-0 MIAA Division I Semi-Final loss to eventual state champions Natick, it would have been easy to believe the cold November evening would be the Marauders’ last trip to the Final Four. After all, Belmont graduated 12 seniors, headlined by Danica Zicha, who scored a Middlesex League high 36 goals, as well as centerbacks Farrah Harris and Ashley Waters. Conventional wisdom would suggest that the Marauders are facing a rebuilding year.
The team, however, refuses to accept that narrative.
“Every year you lose amazing players,” senior captain Martha Dimas said, “But that doesn’t mean anything. Last year was supposed to be a rebuilding year, and look where we ended up”.
Dimas, who missed parts of her sophomore and junior seasons to knee injuries, will start in goal for Belmont. She was selected as a Middlesex League All-Star last year, alongside fellow captains Madhavi Ramadas and Cassie Greiner.
Greiner, a junior, was one of the most important players on the Marauders’ roster last year, and set a state record with 24 assists. She and Ramadas form one of the most dangerous midfield pairings in the state.
Belmont will also retain depth at outside back. Senior captain Elisabeth Schreiner and junior Vivi Capitani both started last year. However, holes remain in the roster. The Marauders will need to find a new striker and two centerbacks.
Having positions open will force underclassmen into bigger roles, which, according to Schreiner, isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
“We’re going to need to find players to step up,” Schreiner said, “We have a lot of competition for open spots, and that’s led to a really positive and competitive tryout.”
Schreiner pointed to sophomore Clara Sciandra as a potential option to play up top. Sciandra, normally a winger, was a big part of Belmont’s postseason run, notably scoring the winning goal in the Marauders’ round-of-16 win over Framingham.
If Sciandra ends up playing striker, the main responsibilities on the wings will fall squarely on the shoulders of junior Eva Berlis.
“We’ve got to find ways to score goals,” Ramadas said, “And I think [Berlis] is going to be a big part of that.”
The roster is not the only thing that will challenge the Marauders this year. They will also have to deal with a Middlesex League schedule change that will see them play the likes of powerhouses Brookline, Wellesley, and Bishop Feehan.
“It was clear that last year we were not tested enough during the regular season.” Head Coach Jemmy Cange said. “We know that we can handle stronger opponents.”
Questions remain for this Belmont team. After all, you can’t just replace a 26-goal striker, two elite center backs, and a deeply experienced senior class overnight. On top of that, the schedule revamp leaves no room for growing pains. But, if last year proved anything, it’s that the program thrives under pressure.
“It’s definitely going to be a big switch,” Greiner said. “We’ll need to work really hard, but I think that this team is ready for the challenge.”
