McDonough Girls Soccer Enters New Season With High Expectations Under First-Year Coach

POMFRET, Md. — The Maurice J. McDonough High School girls soccer team enters the 2026 season with a new head coach, a talented senior class and an ambitious goal of making a deep run in the state playoffs.

For first-year coach Tim Major, the transition has come together quickly. Major said the team has five outstanding seniors who have provided strong leadership both on and off the field.

“They’re extremely focused and set on having a successful season,” Major told The BayNet.

The team’s primary goal is straightforward: make a deep run in the state tournament. Major believes the talent is there to accomplish that goal, provided the players continue putting in the work.

“Our expectation, first of all, daily, is to go out there and work hard,” Major said. “As a team, it’s to make a deep run in the states.”

Major said the team has been exceptional during practices, including early morning tryouts and workouts during the first two weeks.

“Everybody was at every practice, even though it was early in the morning,” he said.

Major said the strong senior leadership has also made his transition into the program easier. The seniors and captains have helped establish the work ethic and expectations he wants from the team.

Major was drawn to the program in part because of its proximity to his workplace, but his familiarity with the area also played a role. Through his experience coaching club soccer, he had seen the talent that has come through McDonough.

“There’s always been talented girls at McDonough, but they’ve never quite got over the top,” Major said. “I think they definitely have the talent to get over the top.”

The team has enjoyed success in recent seasons, including reaching the Southern Maryland Athletic Conference championship game last year before losing in a penalty-kick shootout. Major clarified that the program has not yet won the conference championship or reached the state finals.

This season, Major wants to establish a culture built around unity.

“We always need to be together as a team,” he said. “Win, lose, whatever. We’re on this together and we’re going to fight together.”

Leadership and experience are among the team’s biggest strengths. Major said his seniors have played at a high level for years and understand what it takes to succeed.

One area he wants to improve is the team’s defensive organization. Rather than relying solely on players designated as defenders, Major wants everyone to understand their responsibility within the team’s defensive structure.

He also places a high value on chemistry.

Major wants his players to build relationships both on and off the field while limiting outside distractions. With high school athletes balancing soccer, school and other responsibilities, maintaining focus and consistency can be challenging.

On the field, Major prefers a possession-oriented style. He wants his team to patiently develop attacks instead of immediately trying to push the ball toward the goal.

“All you need is one goal to win a soccer game,” Major said. “If you possess the game, you control the game.”

Beyond this season, Major hopes to build a program that can consistently compete among the area’s best. He believes that starts with developing players throughout the program, including the junior varsity level, so athletes are prepared to step into larger roles in future seasons.

Most importantly, Major wants his players to take lessons from soccer that extend beyond the field.

He hopes they learn how to work with others, pursue a common goal and remain committed when challenges arise.

“Life has its challenges, but you’ve got to stay at it and keep working away,” Major said.

As Major begins his first season, he wants the team to be remembered not only for its success but also for enjoying the game and growing together.

“I think with hard work and you always need a little bit of luck, though, I think they can do fantastic things,” Major said.

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