Marisa Parent Has Breakout Season in Soccer

Marisa Parent emerged into the elite echelon of women’s soccer players in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) in her sophomore season. Marisa, a midfielder who previously played for the Revere High Patriots, had a breakout season for the Framingham State Rams in 2012, amassing 17 points via eight goals and an assist.

Her accomplishments did not go unheralded by the league as she was one of two Rams to be named to the 2012 MASCAC All-Conference Team. The MASCAC All-Conference Team was selected by the eight coaches from the conference. Despite achieving immense success for the Rams this past season, Marisa was taken aback with the honor.

“Being named to the MASCAC Women’s Soccer All-Conference Team was a huge honor since I wasn’t really expecting it,” Marisa expressed. “I was flattered that the eight coaches from the MASCAC recognized me as one of the top athletes in the conference. I was definitely surprised, but also very happy about it.”

It should come as no real shock that the eight coaches from the MASCAC voted Marisa to the All-Conference Team, given her clutch performances for the Rams this past year. Marisa shined in a critical regular season game versus Salem State, scoring the game-winning goal in a 2-1 triumph over the Vikings. Marisa described this as her favorite moment of the year because of the ramifications the game had on the conference standings.

“My favorite moment and game from this past year was when we played Salem State in the regular season,” Marisa depicted. “There was a lot riding on this game because it would impact where we would be ranked for the playoffs. “

“It was very important to us to get the 4th seed,” Marisa explained. “It also meant that if we were tied with Salem at the end of the season, we would get the higher seed because we beat them head-to-head. It was also memorable because I got the game winning goal in that game.”

Marisa was selected as the Women’s Soccer Player of the Week for the MASCAC after her timely goal against Salem State. That same week she also scored the lone goal, an unassisted shot, in the Rams 4-1 loss against Babson.

Framingham State ended the 2012 season with a 7-10-1 overall record, posting a 4-3 conference mark. By finishing 4-3 in the conference, the Rams were awarded the fourth seed in the MASCAC Tournament. Despite being upset at home in the MASCAC Tournament by the fifth-seeded Salem State Vikings, Marisa was proud of her team’s season.

“Making the quarterfinals was a huge accomplishment for our team,” Marisa depicted. “It was the first time in several years that Framingham State had made it to playoffs. Our team made an improvement from last year and overall I was satisfied with our performance.”

Framingham State head coach Tucker Reynolds has stressed conditioning this offseason. Right after the 2012 season commenced, Reynolds mandated the Rams to prepare for the next season.

“As soon as the season ended, we were back in the gym working with our Strength and Conditioning trainer,” Marisa explained. “Over the summer, we are holding captains practice twice a week. We also have a preseason packet, from our coach and Strength and Conditioning trainer that have different workouts on them each day of the week.”

Marisa has developed high hopes for her team for the 2013 season, given all the off-season preparation the Rams have done.

“My expectations for the upcoming season are to finish in the top 4 in our conference again and make it back to playoffs,” Marisa said. “It would be ideal to become MASCAC champs and make it to the NCAA Championships.”

Heading into her junior season, Marisa acknowledges that she will be counted on to be a leader for the Rams.

“I have is to continue to step up now that I’ll be an upperclassman,” Marisa expressed. “I’m hoping to make an impact in every game that I play in and to be one of the people my team turns to when we need a goal or something to happen.”

Under the tutelage of Marisa, the Rams could be primed for success. The soon-to-be junior can’t for the upcoming season.

“I’m looking forward to just playing with my team again,” Marisa said. “We’re a very close team, on and off the field, and I can’t wait to do that again. We have recruited a lot of freshman to fill in for the people we lost and I’m excited to see how they can help us. It should definitely be a great year!”