Natick girls soccer scored four goals in last November’s Division 1 state final. The two players who scored them have graduated, and so has the goalkeeper who held Franklin to two.

“None of those players are replaceable,’’ co-coach Kari-Ann Daley said.

That is the arithmetic facing the Redhawks this fall. Captains Nicole Proia and Abby McCauley each scored twice in the 4-2 win over Franklin at Doyle Field, giving Natick its third Division 1 title in five years and capping a 16-3-3 season.

Proias twin sister, Lydia, is gone too, along with the spine of a team that arrived as a fourth seed and left as champions.

However, Daley and co-coach Denise Trubiano are not worried about how they will respond to what they may have lost.

“We will build off the team culture,’’ Daley said. “These girls are just fabulous people in every sense of the word, genuinely amazing human beings. When the heart of your team is like this, we consider ourselves very lucky.’’

Trubiano sees the same thing in the group that returns.

“We have a core group who are great leaders who bring everyone together.’’ she said. “Regardless of their role, each player gives all they have to support each other and make each other better. It is a continuation from last year, as last year’s seniors were outstanding and led us to the championship.’’

The two coaches reached the Natick sideline from opposite directions. Daley has taught in town since 2003 and played soccer throughout her childhood, which made coaching the obvious next step. 

She ran the freshman team for seven or eight years, stepped away to have a family, returned at the junior varsity level in 2019, and took over the varsity alongside Trubiano in 2024.

Trubiano is a Natick High graduate who played four years for the Redhawks before going on to Lafayette. She began teaching at Natick in 2000 and coaching junior varsity the same year, put in 12 seasons, then stepped away to coach her own daughter in the Millis youth program. She returned to the high school level at Millis in 2021 and joined Daley in 2024.

Two paths, one conviction. Asked what makes the partnership work, both landed on the same answer.

“I believe that the reason why we are successful as co-coaches and friends is that we have the same mentality and approach,’’ Trubiano said. “We are competitive and want our girls to be successful, but if it is without laughter, fun, and celebration, then it is not being done right.’’

Daley put it in nearly identical terms.

“My coaching mentality is work hard, play hard, but you have to have fun,’’ she said. “Last year, we laughed every day. If you aren’t finding the fun, why do it when there are so many competing options for one’s time?’’

With tryouts ahead, the standard is specific. Daley wants players who arrive in shape and ready to play 80 minutes, with solid footwork, a good first touch and a high soccer IQ. 

Trubiano wants fitness that can outrun anyone on the schedule. Both put something above all of it.

“Most importantly, we are looking for an athlete who thinks first of what is best for the team,’’Trubiano said. “They are a part of something bigger than themselves and proud to carry on the tradition of Natick soccer. They sacrifice for their teammates and lift others up.’’

The tradition within the team’s identity is its own kind of pressure. Natick’s youth program feeds the high school a steady supply of players, and the town has come to expect what it gets.

:There is a culture of excellence and an expectation to win,’’ Daley said. “I mean, who doesn’t want to repeat their successes? With that said, every team is different and needs to be treated as its own entity. What worked for us last year will not work this year. We lost too many players.’’

So, the fall begins as an open question rather than a title defense.

We need to see who we have, work the lineup, move girls around, find chemistry,’’ Daley said. “This takes time and hard work, from us and the players. But it is exciting, and I know we are looking forward to the challenge’’

There is precedent for patience. Natick did not look like a champion last September either.

“We definitely had some hiccups early on in the season,’’ Daley said. “You need to reflect on those games and missed opportunities and use them to get better. We were able to peak at the perfect time last year during the postseason run.’’

In the meantime, the job is keeping the standard visible.

“We need to be honest and transparent about team and individual expectations, and be consistent,’’ she said. “Our leaders need to model the work ethic and positive attitudes that can separate us from others, and everyone has to be committed to that.’’

Both coaches teach in the building, so the season does not end when practice does. Daley teaches five sections of seniors and usually has most of the senior players in her classes.

“I get to see them grow as young people, both athletically and academically. I cannot tell you how personally rewarding this is’’ she said. “We keep in touch with a lot of the girls and their families. These relationships are what makes teaching and coaching so special.’’

Trubiano’s position limits her to two classes, which she says makes the team that much more valuable.

“The afternoons with these girls are the best part of my days,’’ she said. “They bring such joy and laughter to my life, and I love sharing the crazy stories with my family, because these girls become such a huge part of our lives.’’

The Redhawks reported Aug. 24 with a roster full of openings and a banner already hanging.

“We know that these girls will show up and be ready,’’ Trubiano said. “We will have a blast working through all we have to work through as a team. I cannot wait.’’