Former assistant coach wants the 2016 season to be a memorable one
By JIM SOUTHMAYD
WAKEFIELD — There may be a new varsity girls’ soccer head coach but many of the returning players know her very well.
Stephanie Martin was promoted from the JV coaching position to take over for Jessica Marshall. Marshall was the varsity coach for three years and an assistant before that.
Certainly, Martin is no stranger to Wakefield having been an assistant coach in both girls’ soccer and softball. She is also a teacher in the school system.
Martin has been employed by the Wakefield Public Schools since 2007. Throughout her career in Wakefield, Martin has worked as a second grade teacher at the Dolbeare Elementary School and has also served as an assistant coach for both the girls’ soccer team and the softball team at Wakefield Memorial High School.
Martin has worked her way up the coaching ranks in Wakefield in soccer. She began as the freshman coach, was promoted to JV coach, then promoted again to assistant varsity coach and is now head varsity coach.
“I’m very excited and humbled to be named head coach of the Wakefield HS girls’ soccer team,” said Martin. “When I started coaching the freshman team six years ago I never thought I would be lucky enough to be in this position. Wakefield has such a strong soccer community and I am just thrilled to be a part of it.”
Prior to her teaching and coaching days in Wakefield, Martin enjoyed an illustrious playing career at Assumption College, where she captained both the Assumption College women’s soccer team and softball team, and earned All-American honors during her senior year.
Martin is the all-time leading goal scorer in Assumption College women’s soccer history. Martin is a member or the NCAA Northeast-10 Conference Athletic Hall of Fame, the Assumption College Athletic Hall of Fame and the Arlington Catholic Athletic Hall of Fame.
The new head coach certainly knows the players and their skills. Now, she will be seeking to utilize the Warriors’ talents and continue the fine tradition of the girls’ soccer program.
“I became involved with the program six years ago as the freshman coach then coached the JV for three years. Last year I was approached with the opportunity to assist the varsity,” said Martin. “What is so great about being the head coach now is I’ve coached most of the seniors and juniors since they were freshmen and have seen them grown so much as players.
“Coming into my first year as head coach I truly lucked out with this group of soccer players. Not only are they talented on the field, they are so respectful and extremely strong role models for our underclassmen and youth soccer players,” added Martin. “Their hard work and dedication on and off the field will make my job a lot easier this year. They are the true definition of what a student athlete should be. With that being said, my goals for the season are to qualify for tournament early and to get stronger as a unit as the season goes on.”
Martin expects her players to give a good effort each time out on the field during practices, scrimmages and in games.
“With any team I coach, I expect all my players to leave it on the field, play with heart and have no regrets,” said Martin. “When other teams play us I want them to have to earn everything and make it difficult for them to come out on top.”
Wakefield has started the preseason with practices and the Warriors have a number of scrimmages scheduled as well before the regular season begins on Thursday, Sept. 8 at Lexington.
“With tryouts upon us I am thrilled with my returners and the talent throughout the program,” said Martin. “I’m extremely lucky to get a group of players like this in my first year and we’re looking to make the 2016 season a memorable one.”
