Natick girls soccer, a state champion a year ago, has co-coaches for 2024

The “interview” happened via email. The coaches were asked the same questions. The responses of Denise Trubiano – the first to reply – came back in regular type. Exactly two hours later, Kari-Ann Daley replied, her answers in red.

The first question: What is it like taking over such a successful program?

"It is definitely exciting ...” Trubiano began, the start of a detail-oriented paragraph.

“And daunting,” Daley interjected, the red letters summing up the task at hand – two coaches at the varsity level for the first time, taking over a program that has won two state championships since 2021.

Natick girls soccer will have co-head coaches to replace the departed Dave Wainwright (now at Wellesley) for a team that posted a 21-1-1 record last fall, including the Redhawks’ second state title. Only four seniors graduated.

Daley and Trubiano have coached at Natick together in the past when Daley led the freshman team and Trubiano the junior varsity.

“We held joint practices, stood on the sidelines together, and talked strategy,” Trubiano said. “We are similar in our beliefs of how to run the team and program and what we want from and for the players.”

Daley spent most of her coaching at the JV level, and like Trubiano, has been a teacher at Natick High for more than 20 years.

“There is no one more dedicated to Natick HS and who possesses better character working with our athletes over the last 2 decades than Coach Daley,” Natick athletic director Tim Collins said in an email.

Wainwright moves on to another Bay State Conference foe

Wainwright has a long history with the Bay State Conference. He played at Needham High, where his 1989 team fell to Natick in the sectionals. He has also served as Needham's boys lacrosse coach since 2003.

The 25-year physical education teacher at Pollard Middle School in Needham was hired at Natick in 2018, taking over for James Blackwell. (Prior to Natick, Wainwright led the Tri-Valley League's Dover-Sherborn girls soccer team to a state title in 2011).

Daley coached under Wainwright for five seasons.

"He taught me a ton," she said. "He's a real student of the game and laser focused on skills. His passion for the sport is evident in all he does. I will miss him a lot."

As for Wellesley, which hosts Natick on Sept. 17, the Raiders should be a solid foe for Natick once again, especially with Wainwright on the sideline.

"I love the opportunity Wellesley has given me," he said in a text to the Daily News. "Very excited to be there."

New Natick pair set for challenge of season

Trubiano, the NHS Language Department Chair who played at Lafayette College, was a varsity assistant at Millis most recently.

“I wouldn't do this role with anyone else, but Denise,” Daley said. “Our common core philosophies on coaching, player development, and strategy should mesh well with this team. I anticipate leaning on one another a lot throughout the season.”

Wainwright is certain that Natick's new combo will click.

"They're both top notch people who are close and have worked together," he said, "so they'll be a strong staff for sure."

Natick returns the bulk of its scoring, including junior Nicole Proia (19 goals last season) and 2023 All-State selection Cassidy Moriarty, whose 13 ^th goal last year capped a 2-0 victory in the Division 1 title game against Bishop Feehan.

Also back are forward Lydia Proia (Eastern Mass. First Team All-Star last season); Northeastern commit and midfielder/senior Olivia Penn (EMass First Team); senior defender Kendall Hacker (EMass Second Team); and senior forward Kira Henderson, who scored the game-winner against Feehan .

Moriarty, Hacker and Penn will captain the team.

Natick begins the season at rival Brookline, the only team to defeat the Redhawks last year (in a rain-shortened match), on Sept. 3.

“We know that teams will prepare for us, that the (Bay State League) is so tough, and that teams will want to get the W over us,” Trubiano said, “but, we will prepare, be ready to play 80 minutes, and tap into the joy of playing the game and competing.”

After the Brookline game, the Redhawks host always-tough Framingham and Newton North, which played Natick to a 1-all draw last September. The schedule also includes non-league matchups with Division 2 state champ Notre Dame-Hingham, who Natick defeated, 3-0, last season; Division 3 state semifinalist Dover-Sherborn; and D3 quarterfinalist Weston.

“It will be exciting to see these players embrace the challenges that come with being a state championship team,” Trubiano said, “and how they work together to do this.”

Tim Dumas is a multimedia journalist for the Daily News. He can be reached at tdumas@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @TimDumas .

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Natick girls soccer, a state champion a year ago, has co-coaches for 2024