Ria ’26 entered the 2025-26 Marlborough Varsity soccer season as co-captain alongside Sydney ’26 and Addison ’26. Ria committed to Division 1 soccer at the University of Pennsylvania in April. As co-captain, she uplifts team spirit, plans team bonding events and creates a competitive atmosphere for the players.
“One thing I think is great is that we’ve had several coaching changes, and we’ve grown our chemistry on and off the field as a team, individually,” Ria said.
Ria began playing soccer at the age of three with the American Youth Soccer Organization and became a goalkeeper in third grade. She is now part of the top team in the Los Angeles Breakers Football Club that plays in the Elite Club National League, which is the most competitive league for girls across the country.
She practices five days a week for over 15 hours, preparing for the tournaments and games she plays on the weekends.
When Ria first joined Marlborough Varsity soccer as a freshman, she was intimidated by the mix of different grade levels. She felt that she was unnoticed and not an integral member of the team.
Riaexplained how the senior mentors were there to support her.
“If I told my freshman self one thing now, it would be to be yourself,” Ria said. “Know that the whole team is so excited to bring you into the team and learn more about you.”
She realized that age wasn’t something that set the team back from bonding. Instead, the mix of different grade levels onthe team was a great opportunity for her to learn more about new experiences and meet new people.
Although her freshman season was a new experience for her, Ria unfortunately sustained an injury to her nose and had to get facial reconstructive surgery. It took her four months to be cleared to play again. During her recovery, she had roubles with memory, sleep, focus and emotional control. The hardest part for Ria was that she found herself procrastinating more, and it was hard for her to get her energy out because she previously did that through soccer.
“I actually really appreciate soccer because it really helps me clear my mind,” Ria said. “It helps me manage my time
more and focus on my academics.”
