By Mike Rubin

After qualifying for the tournament for the past two seasons, the Somerville High School girls soccer team is aiming for another successful campaign.

Following a 10-7-1 regular season mark, the Highlanders faced a tough match-up in Westford Academy, suffering a tough 9-0 defeat in the tournament’s first round.

Leading the way for the Highlanders will be senior captain Cassie Marsden, a central defender.

Other key returning players for the Highlanders include the senior core of midfielders Tayla Plett, Marrara Goncalves along with Fatima Flores and Jessica Lopes. Another key defender for the Highlanders will be Eimy Bonilla.

As for underclassmen, sophomore Natalie Henrique will lead the way at forward. Henrique, who emerged as one of the top goal scorers in the Greater Boston League, will aim to deliver another solid season.

As for newcomers, the Highlanders will welcome such strong athletes as senior Kelsey Garrity, who’s penciled in as the starting goalkeeper and Siobhan Murray at center midfield.

“There will be many newcomers, but I don’t yet know who they are,” said sixth year coach Jason Lenicheck. “Several seniors have come out for the first time who will, along with several strong underclassmen, challenge for spots.”

Recently, the Highlanders ventured out to Camp Lenox where the squad bonded with both the football and boys soccer teams.

“It was an absolutely fantastic experience that I’m sure none of the girls will forget,’’ said Lenicheck. “We were able to get in quite a bit of practice, and the isolation and the relatively rigid/disciplined schedule meant that those who went were put in the kind of close proximity and for the quantity of time that leads to an overwhelming unity of team bonding.”

Following a jamboree on Monday at Watertown, the Highlanders will kick off the season on Wednesday at Matignon.