Marin ready to lead at Massachusetts Maritime

August 28, 2013

By John Garner Jr., Cape Cod Times

Laura Marin suffered a devastating leg injury playing summer league soccer in 2012. The 5-foot West Yarmouth native sustained a torn PCL, fractured tibia and shattered knee cap before beginning a long, grueling road back to recovery.

After missing the first five games of last season, Marin finished her rehabilitation and started the last nine games for the Massachusetts Maritime Academy women's soccer team.

"It was a lot of work, but I wanted to play soccer and get my leg back in shape," said Marin, an emergency management major at MMA. "That was my main goal and now I'm trying to provide leadership, especially to the freshman girls on the team."

Entering her junior season, the Cape Cod Tech graduate has been named tri-captain of the Bucs, along with senior Lauren Salem and fellow junior Mariah McGrath.

"They are extremely dedicated to the continued growth and development of our program," said MMA coach Ray Cabral. "They command the respect of their teammates by demonstrating a tremendous work ethic, and will help us prepare fully for challenges that lie ahead this season."

Marin is also a defender on the Bucs' women's lacrosse team during the spring, another sport that relies on speed, agility and athleticism. She is thinking about a career in law enforcement after graduation.

Coming off a 2-12 season, the MMA women's soccer squad welcomes back 12 letter-winners, including All-MASCAC goalie Katie Levesque. The Bucs open their season Sept. 4 hosting Becker.

The Massachusetts Maritime Academy's Andrews 70 "Shindig" was the first boat to cross the finish line at the Ida Lewis Distance Race, earning the team the Lois J. Muessel Memorial Trophy for best elapsed time overall and also the William E. Tuthill Trophy for winning the separately scored Collegiate Challenge over the University of Rhode Island's Baltic 50 "Crazy Horse." At the helm for MMA was cadet Tim Dexter of Manchester, Vt.

The MMA football team begins its season Thursday, Sept. 12, hosting SUNY-Maritime in the Chowder Bowl at Clean Harbors Stadium on the Buzzards bay campus. Last year, the Bucs posted their third straight winning season and had key wins over Maine Maritime, Coast Guard and Bridgewater State. MMA moves into the newly-formed, nine-team MASCAC after nearly 40 years in the New England Football Conference.

MMA seniors Steven Migridichian, Erik King and Christopher Affannato will serve as tri-captains of the men's cross country team. The Bucs begin the season Sept. 7 hosting the Lt. Travis J. Fuller Invitational.

MMA volleyball head coach Chris Ratches has named senior Michaela Garrity and junior Deb Langley as co-captains for the upcoming season. The Bucs' season opener is Sept. 5 at Anna Maria.