In 2008, Massachusetts Maritime Academy Athletics added women's soccer to its arsenal of athletics programs and on Tuesday, October 31st, 2023 the team will play in their first postseason match in the 15th year of the program against Worcester State in Worcester at 4pm.

The Buccaneers, under second-year head coach and Academy alumna Lauren Murphy, recorded their best conference regular season record in program history with a win and two draws for a total of five points. Their previous highest total conference points in a season, three, happened twice before in 2017 and 2019. The five points in 2023, thanks to a 2-1 win over MCLA, and 1-1 and 0-0 draws with Fitchburg and Framingham respectively, has earned them the sixth and final spot in the conference playoffs. 

"This hasn't come easy for us," said head coach Lauren Salem. "The women in this program had to fight for this on and off the field. Their resilience and hard work has paid off and doesn't go unnoticed."

Coach Murphy, formerly Salem, played for the Buccaneers from 2010 to 2013 and is one of the most decorated women's soccer players in Maritime history. In the Bucs women's soccer record books Murphy is first in assists with 11, fourth in goals scored with 15, fourth in total points with 39, third in shots taken with 106, fourth in shots on goal with 65 and scored four game winners in her career which is second all-time. 

"I played with some of the founding members of the women's soccer program as a freshman," said Murphy. "Now, as the head coach, I'm beyond thrilled to see the Buccaneers women's soccer program growing and making history. We are grateful for all of the women who played here and who have been a part of this program and paved the way for our current players. All of them have been a crucial part to our success."

As the head coach, Murphy holds the record for most draws, eight, in program history, and the most points in conference amongst the five head coaches in the team's history with six. Though she beat MCLA this year and earned points against Fitchburg and Framingham there is something no coach has been able to do yet in 15 years and that's beat Worcester State. The Bucs are 0-15 all-time against the Lancers, including the team's 5-0 loss on Saturday to close out the regular season. Now in the postseason, all bets are off and though Murphy and the team have already made history, they have an opportunity to do a handful of things no other quad has ever been able to do. 

Senior midfielder Ally Reddish had been a part of the Bucs women's soccer team for four years and is planning to return for her fifth year in 2024, taking advantage of her extra COVID season while earning her Master Degree from the Academy. Reddish has been an integral part of the Buccaneers success over the last three full seasons. She has played in 40 games, has scored four goals including a career-high three this season, and had the game winner in the team's 13-2 victory over Bay Path earlier in the season. 

"Being the first team in Buccaneers women's soccer history to ever make the playoffs is a great accomplishment," said senior captain Ally Reddish. "With our team's countless hours of hard work and dedication, the playoffs was definitely a well earned goal of ours. Between the regiment, academics, and being a student-athlete, my teammates and I have a lot on our plate but still show up every day ready to work. As a captain, it is an honor to be a part of this amazing team and program. I am excited to see what Tuesday and our future has in store." Added Reddish.

The Buccaneers and Lancers faceoff on Halloween at 4pm in Worcester on Coughlin Field. Live Stats and Live Stream can be found on the Women's soccer schedule page of mmabucs.com.