Girls Soccer Sets Lofty Goals

Last year, injuries decimated the Belmont girls soccer team.

Senior Lena Marinell was off to a strong start with six goals and five assists over the first five games before an injury cost her the rest of the season.

Sophomore Danica Zicha, the team’s top scorer two years ago as a freshman, tore her ACL in the fifth game after notching five goals and four assists.

But this year, Zicha, a junior captain, will be back after the first couple weeks of the 2024 campaign, which has third-year head coach Jemmy Cange feeling optimistic.

“I’m excited for Danica to come back,” he said. “She’s a hard worker. She’s going to be ready to go and give it her all.”

Forward captains Anna Santos and Sarah Yu will also pace the offensive effort, which has Cange setting lofty goals.

“Expectations are really high,” he said. “First goal is to win the Middlesex League. Just get in the playoffs, then anything is possible.”

The back end of the pitch will be anchored by sophomore goalkeeper Martha Dimes, who acted as a backup last year. Despite her lack of starting experience, Cange believes Dimes will be the goalkeeper everyone talks about in the league.

“She’s strong, game smart and very technical with the ball,” he said. “In my opinion, she’s going to be the best goalkeeper in the conference.”

Playing in front of Dimes defensively will be juniors Ashley Waters and Farrah Harris, backups last year but two players who’ve been on the varsity since their freshmen year.

“They communicate very well,” Cange said. “They’ve both been doing well this preseason. They learned a lot last year from Lucy [Kabrhel] and Hannah [Glavin, last year’s senior captains at the center back positions]. They’ve been doing pretty much everything I’ve asked them to do.”

Heading into the new season, Cange said the team’s strength is the fact it jelled so quickly in the offseason.

“The whole team came together,” he said. “They’re having fun together. I think we just clicked together. This year we have overall team talent.”

If there’s one concern, it’s his team’s youth, specifically at the center back position.

“It’s always a little concerning having two new people playing center back,” he said. “I do have great faith in [Ashley and Farrah]. It’s worrying me but I do have confidence in both of them.”

Last year, the Marauders finished the regular season at 10-6-3 and suffered an early exit from the state playoffs. But this year, his gut is sensing greater things for his team.

“I’m excited for the season to come,” he said. “The kids are excited. There’s a lot of team spirit. That’s what’s going to drive us to win a lot of games.”