Salisbury girls soccer head coach Rick Babyak has one request for the 2025 season: score goals.

His team struggled to score g last season. In its first scrimmage this summer the team fought to a 0-0 tie with Liberty, which impressed the coach defensively, but left him a little concerned about the offensive outlook for the team.

“It’s a confidence thing,” said Babyak, who enters his 13th season as the team’s head coach. “It’s getting ourselves to the point where we take risks when we’re in the offensive end and get more shots on goal. Just generate more shots and they’ll start to go in.

“We have players that can score, so I know it will happen if we just develop that confidence.”

As for young players who could make an impact offensively for Salisbury, Babyak pointed to Molly Foley, Carly Klein, and Lila Rose.

“Molly is probably going to be playing up top for us and Carly is primarily a midfielder, but I’ve been using her in a lot of different ways,” said Babyak. “Lila is a good outside midfielder, and there are probably some that I’m forgetting but those three are the ones that come to mind first. Plus, there can always be that player that steps forward as the season progresses.”

In goal, junior Kacie Kaough returns to her starting job and is poised to put together an even stronger season than in her sophomore season for Salisbury. Kaough will also benefit from the addition of Cam Platt, who is working as a coach for Babyak to help with coaching the goalies.

“She has really stepped up her game,” Babyak noted. “She really did a nice job against Liberty, so I’m expecting good things from her.”

With a season of varsity soccer experience, Kaough helps solidify an already established defensive unit for Salisbury. Autumn Evans, Maddie Reis, Sam Conrad, Kaitlyn Neuhs, Amy Cadet, and Bree Hand are all seniors and play either on defense or as a defensive midfielder for the Falcons.

One scenario that has been playing out in practice has been that younger players are coming in with a fresh attitude and look to show they belong, which Babyak loves to see.

“It really has elevated all of us,” said Babyak. “What’s going on here is that we have young players who are stepping in and have played well early on. It’s really pushing the rest of us and has helped to develop.”

Following up on an 0-12-2 season in 2024 means that the Lady Falcons have a lot of work to do. The added experience of older players coupled with the arrival of younger players who look ready to contribute makes for optimism.

The performance early in practice and in their scrimmage against Liberty bodes well for the upcoming season.

“I’m encouraged. I like the work that we’re putting in and I think that we are making progress,” said Babyak. “Now, it’s just a matter of taking that onto the field for the season and seeing how we continue to grow.”