Kicking Into the Season

Preseason Maclay Girls’ Soccer

Photo by Hal Gatewood on Unsplash

The Maclay girls’ soccer team is about to kick off the 2023-2024 season. The Marauders will begin training this week and prepare for the upcoming year. Preparation will start with workouts and conditioning every Monday and Wednesday. The Marauders will do whatever it takes to replicate the successful season they had last year. 

“We had a really talented group of seniors that graduated last year no doubt,” head coach Zack Arceneaux said. “However, that is always going to be the case every year. I see it as an awesome opportunity for some new and returning players to step up and rise to the occasion.”

The Marauders prepare to start training to enhance their performance and chemistry but also plan on working on their weaknesses.

“I think that we have a challenge ahead of us after losing some pretty vital seniors,” junior Gray Burleson said. “I think that with the preparation we’ve done over the summer and the conditioning for preseason that we have a good chance for a winning season.”

Last year, the team reached the Regional Semifinals; however, they are looking to exceed that performance.

“I am as optimistic as ever about our program going into this season,” Arceneaux said. “We had a great season last year and are looking forward to building off of the positive momentum behind our program right now.”

The Marauders enter the season with seven seniors: Lawre Bradley May, Mary Clayton Soto, Elizabeth Bodiford, Aillen Mccabee, Olivia Bishop and Anna Miller. The team is led by captains May and Bishop.

“I’m really excited and I think we have a really promising season ahead of us,” May said. “My team goal would definitely be to win the district title this year.”

The Marauders are ready to take the pitch and are destined to accomplish great goals for the upcoming season. The high expectations carried by the team have not brought them down and they are determined to achieve all goals that are set. 

“We have a lot of goals we want to achieve this season. First, you start out with small goals, and hope those all build you up to your primary goal,” Arceneaux said. “For the Maclay Soccer program, our goal is always to win a state championship. Along the way, our goals are to hit double digit wins in the regular season, compete with every school regardless of size, and win the district title in the process. We also want to make it farther than our regional playoff run last year.”

On Nov. 6, Maclay will face their first obstacle in their path to greatness. While their journey is only beginning, the Marauders are passionate and ready for the challenges that the long awaited season brings and have the intention of making it to the State Championship.