The Murray girls soccer team enters the 2025 campaign with high hopes and lofty ambitions. The Spartans aren’t letting their lack of experience deter them from these goals. 

Head coach James McKenna had a program of 39 players, 29 of whom are freshmen and sophomores. With so many ninth and 10th graders, McKenna added a freshman/sophomore squad, which he thinks will pay dividends now and in the future. 

“We are excited about the upcoming season and thrilled we were able to add a freshman/sophomore team this year,” he said. “This addition creates more opportunities for our younger athletes to grow and eventually contribute to our JV and varsity squads. Our team is young, with just four seniors. We're especially excited to have those seniors step into leadership roles and guide this promising group.”

Murray will compete in Region 10 of Class 4A once again. Last season, the Spartans were 9-9 overall and placed third in the region with a 7-5 record. Despite having such a young group, McKenna isn’t shy about aiming for the league’s top prize. Still, McKenna acknowledges that the task won’t be easy. 

“Our goal is always to compete for a Region title, but we understand that with such a young team, there will be some growing pains as we continue to develop and gain experience,” he said. 

Teams with a higher number of younger players can be more prone to making errors and struggling with the mental aspect of the game. McKenna hopes that Murray will learn to shake off these setbacks and progress. 

“We understand that mistakes are part of the game, especially as players grow and learn,” he said. “Our focus is on maintaining a positive attitude and giving full effort. When mistakes happen, we emphasize moving on quickly and concentrating on the next play, learning and adjusting as fast as we can.”

The Spartans may have few seniors on the team, but those players have impressed McKenna with their leadership skills and the examples they are setting for the other players. Murray enjoys good camaraderie and team unity. McKenna also said the Spartans should find success on offense because of the fast players he can put on the field. It’s also fortunate for McKenna that he has a big roster to draw from. 

“Our senior leaders have been outstanding, helping to shape a strong and positive team culture,” he said. “We also have impressive overall team speed, which we plan to leverage this season to create offensive opportunities and keep the pressure on our opponents. We have more depth this season than in years past, and we anticipate that many players will have the opportunity to contribute at the varsity level.”

The Spartans opened the year with a 1-2 record in their first three games. The team struggled defensively in these outings, so McKenna is emphasizing improvements in that area. He was confident that the girls would bounce back heading into region play. The first region game was Aug. 19 at home against East. 

“Right now, improving our defensive play is a top priority,” McKenna said. “In our preseason matches, we're focused on identifying players who can bring stability to our back line. Additionally, we need to be better connected in the midfield to support our attack and create more opportunities with numbers forward.”

McKenna specifically highlighted three of his four seniors: defender Zella James, midfielder Mia Waldrum and midfielder Grace Taeoalii. These three players will be critical to the team’s success when it comes to on-field production and leadership. 

“[James] is entering her third year as a varsity starter, and her leadership will be vital in anchoring our back line,” McKenna said. “Her exceptional speed and anticipation make her a key defensive player. [Waldrum] is a transfer to Murray, and her leadership has already made a strong impact. With excellent ball control and smart decision-making, she brings stability and creativity to our midfield. [Taeoalii] is expected to return from injury, and her presence will be a major boost to our midfield. As one of our top playmakers, we anticipate she’ll add a dynamic edge to our offensive attack once she’s back on the field.”

Another top player is forward Bailey Trujillo, who is just a sophomore. McKenna is looking forward to seeing what she can do this season after being a solid contributor last year as a young freshman. 

“[Trujillo] made significant contributions at the varsity level last season and is poised to be a standout player this year,” McKenna said. “Her speed, ball control and physicality will be crucial in generating chances in the final third.”

Like many young teams, the Spartans will likely experience some ups and downs this season. McKenna said Murray can achieve its goals if the players learn and fulfil their roles and play unselfishly. 

“The key challenge and opportunity will be bringing everyone together and making the most of the strengths we have,” he said. “If we can get full buy-in and players willing to step into roles—some of which may be new to them—I’m excited about our potential to compete and grow week by week.”

Now in his second season as head coach, McKenna loves seeing the talent coming into the program and the chance to teach new players. He is eager to watch them grow this season and beyond. 

“Each year, it is great to welcome the incoming freshmen, learn about their skills on the field and support their growth,” he said. “We also have a strong group of returning players who are willing to learn and improve, and I’m looking forward to seeing how this team evolves throughout the season.”