The Massachusetts Maritime women’s soccer team certainly has strength in numbers heading into the 2013 season, as third year Head Coach Ray Cabral welcomes back nine letterwinners and six starters as part of what is the largest squad size in the program’s six-year history that features 11 rookies.  Cabral’s crew notched a pair of triumphs last year, and with a solid mix of experienced veterans and talented newcomers in the fold, the number in the win column looks to grow as well.

Leadership has always been a staple of the Buccaneer program since its varsity beginning in 2008, and this year will be no exception, as Cabral, who has tabbed senior Lauren Salem (Westfield, Mass./Westfield) and juniors Laura Marin (West Yarmouth, Mass./Cape Cod Tech) and Mariah McGrath (Mansfield, Mass./Mansfield) as tri-captains for the coming season.  Massachusetts Maritime’s mentor, who enters the 2013 campaign just four victories shy of the 100-career win plateau in his nine-year tenure as a women’s head coach, describes the trio as “extremely dedicated to the continued growth and development of our program.  They command the respect of their teammates both on and off the field by demonstrating a tremendous work ethic, and they will help us prepare fully for the challenges that lie ahead this season.”

Here’s a look at how things are shaping up for the 2013 edition of Buccaneer women’s soccer:

FORWARD.  Sophomore Emily Behen (Danvers, Mass./Danvers) enjoyed a solid rookie campaign up front for the Buccaneers last fall with six goals in 14 contests, while Salem, who earned all-MASCAC accolades as a sophomore, followed with three markers and a pair of assists for eight points.  Sophomore Janine Prokscha (Washington, Conn./Gunnery Prep) collected two helpers as a freshman in 2013 for Massachusetts Maritime, while fellow sophomore Asia Vernon (Dutch Harbor, Ak./Unalaska City) lends additional experience after appearing in 14 matches and making 12 starts as a rookie.  Freshman Rachel Tallarico (Orefield, Pa./Parkland) will be vying for a spot up front as well for Cabral.

MIDFIELD.  Marin and sophomore Molly Smith (Westwood, Mass./Westwood) return in the middle after playing in nine contests each for the Buccaneers a year ago, while sophomore Brittany Driscoll (Spencer, Mass./Holy Name) provides additional experience after making eight caps with one start in 2012.  Cabral will have seven newcomers looking to contribute at midfield this season, as freshmen Mackenzie Wilson (Plymouth, Mass./Notre Dame-Hingham), Aoife Callinan (West Falmouth, Mass./Falmouth), Kianna Carpenter (Sagamore Beach, Mass./Bourne), Heather Castro (Taunton, Mass./Bristol-Plymouth), Robyn Plocinski (Berkeley Heights, N.J./New Providence), Dahlia Seggelin (Sharon, Mass./Sharon) and Ashley Solari (Sandwich, Mass./Sandwich) lend depth for Massachusetts Maritime.

BACK.  The loss of all-MASCAC performer Kim Courcy to graduation leaves a void in the Buccaneer backfield, but McGrath provides solid experience in that spot after starting in 13 matches in 2012.  The return of senior Crystal Sherman (Charlton, Mass./Shepherd Hill) from an injury that kept her out of action last fall bolsters Massachusetts Maritime’s defensive unit, which will also be comprised by freshmen Ashley Holmes (Marlboro, Mass./Assabet Valley), Brianna Kearney (Sandwich, Mass./Sandwich) and Ashley Daring (Worcester, Mass./Notre Dame-Worcester).

GOAL.  Massachusetts Maritime’s last line of defense this season will once again fall on the shoulders of sophomore keeper Katie Levesque (Wilmot, N.H./Kearsarge Regional), who earned second team all-MASCAC honors as a rookie last season.  Levesque played all but 45 minutes in the Buccaneer cage as a freshman, as she recorded a league-league 169 saves and notched a shutout triumph along the way.

SCHEDULE.  A 15-match schedule that includes seven MASCAC clashes awaits Cabral’s squad in 2013, including non-league home dates with Becker, Fisher, Pine Manor and Curry as well as road contests with Regis, Anna Maria, Coast Guard and Wheelock.

Massachusetts Maritime is set to begin its sixth varsity season on Wednesday, September 4^th when the Buccaneers entertain Becker in a non-league outing at Clean Harbors Stadium that begins at 7:00 p.m. EDT.