Silence takes over the PHS crowd as an opposing team is making a strong attack,
in search of a goal. They swarm the box, hoping to set up a shot, but Helena Murray
’27 is there to make a play. She sprints over to the ball and slides to make a tackle,
stopping the momentum
of the opposition and
giving her team a needed
reset.

Murray was introduced
to soccer at seven years old,
beginning a connection
with the sport that would
continue throughout her
childhood. Growing up,
soccer was a big part of
her family, which helped
spark her own interest in
the sport.

“I only started playing
[soccer] because both of
my older brothers played
throughout high school
and college,” Murray said.
“Definitely my brothers
and my older sister playing
it got me really into it.”

After moving to
Princeton in 2019, soccer
became one of the first
ways she made new
friends. Through her local
club team, she quickly
built connections with her teammates that lasted beyond the field.

“It was honestly mostly about the team environment and the friends I made,” Murray
said. “I’m still really good friends with some of the girls that I made on that team.”

Murray played on the PHS JV girls soccer team during her freshman year before
earning a spot on varsity as a sophomore. Playing as a center back, she gradually
became a steady presence on the Tigers’ defense. Since then, Head Coach Christine
Giacino has watched her develop both as a player and teammate.

“My first impression [of Murray] was [that she was] a quieter sophomore, but now
she’s really changed and grown into this amazing captain,” said Giacino.

As a senior captain, Murray takes an active role in communicating with her
teammates on and off the field.

“Her confidence and her composure and calmness has really spread [to her
teammates] through her kind personality,” said Giacino. “She’s very friendly to
everyone she meets not only on the field. She welcomes the underclassmen [and] I
think that just creates some better culture within our program.”

Leah O’Neill ’27 has played with Murray since freshman year. At first, a shy but
friendly teammate, O’Neill has seen her grow to be more confident, vocal, and
dependable on the field.

“She’s always super positive, and she’s always working her very hardest until the
end of the game [and] the end of the practice,” said O’Neill.

That growth and consistency has made Murray someone O’Neill looks up to, despite
the two being in the same grade.

“We’re the same age, but she’s a role model to me,” O’Neill said. “ I think she can
also be a role model to the younger
girls too.”

Murray has become more
confident both on and off the field,
and it taught her skills extending
beyond the field.

“Through soccer, I’ve been able
to find a space where I am able to
talk to people [that] I wouldn’t
usually [talk to],” Murray said. “It’s
helped me be more outgoing and
helped me with making friends
and making connections.”

Her teammates have also seen
that growth reflected in the way
Murray supports the group during
games and how she interacts with
new players.

“At halftime, she always
encourages us and motivates us
for the second half,” said O’Neill. “And I think she really found her voice and grew
more confident on the field and off the field. I remember her being a little bit more
shy our freshman year, but she really came out of her shell.”

The sport has left a lasting impact on Murray’s life. From helping her build friendships
after moving to Princeton to becoming a captain and leader on the field, soccer has
played an important role in shaping who she is today.

Photo: Winston Jung

Throughout her time at PHS, Murray has established herself as both a reliable member of the team and a leader and role model for younger players.

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