As a former Co-Captain of Girls Soccer as well as a standout player on Girls Hockey, Emily Mara ’25 has carried her athleticism into the collegiate spotlight, playing both Division I Soccer and Hockey at Boston College. Before her collegiate career, Mara excelled at Andover, winning the Yale Bowl at Commencement as a Senior and earning the honor of United Soccer Coaches All-State in 2022 and 2023. She also made history on the ice, setting the single-game record for most points with four goals and three assists. Now at Boston College, she continues to embrace the heightened competition and demands of Division I athletics.
This past fall, Mara, balancing both athletic and academic commitments, started in all seventeen soccer matches she played in, reaching a total of 1,273 minutes. She credited her time at Andover with preparing her to manage the rigorous academics of college alongside the intensity of being a two-season athlete.
“My first year competing at the Division I level in both soccer and hockey has been incredibly rewarding and definitely challenging in the best way. Andover always challenged me to perform at everything I do at the highest possible level, so being in a new environment, with even higher expectations, has been a very fun and exciting new journey. The speed of play, physicality, and time demands are all at a higher level, but Andover prepared me so well for balancing academics and athletics. Learning how to manage two in-season sports while adjusting to college life has pushed me to grow a lot as both an athlete and a person,” wrote Mara in an email to The Phillipian.
Andover Girls Soccer Head Coach Lisa Joel has continued to follow Mara’s success long after her time on campus, often travelling to Boston College to attend games. While Mara’s talent is undeniable, Coach Joel believes her mindset and energy is what sets her apart, consistently supporting her teammates.
“Emily Mara is one of the most athletic athletes we’ve seen at [Andover]. She was a great talent in both sports that she played in, and the X factor for Emily is that she’s fiercely competitive. Her desire to perform at her top at all times and put her team and herself in the best position to win is literally, in my experience, second to none. She loves the sport that she plays when she’s playing it, and she loves to compete. She is intrinsically motivated and is always performing at the edge. What makes her special is that she elevates everyone around her. Everyone wants to play better because they’re feeding off of her energy in her play,” said Coach Joel.
Joel also recalled Mara’s aggressive style, which continually left a lasting impression on opponents. Known for her competitiveness, she consistently played with a physical edge that set her apart from others.
“Emily was just always being Emily. I have dozens of stories of Emily literally sacrificing her body to win balls, make plays, and score goals in a kind of a wrecking ball way that opponents couldn’t respond. She wasn’t just special in her four years [at Andover]. She’s one of the most special athletes. She’s awesome,” said Joel.
Throughout her high school career, Mara earned numerous accolades, including being named NEPSAC Athlete of the Year and selected, alongside eighteen other graduating athletes, to be a 2025 Globe Foundation/Richard J. Phelps Scholar-Athlete. Yet, beyond titles, Mara elaborated on how her greatest motivation has stemmed from the team environments she has been a part of.
“Being surrounded by teammates who are equally passionate and driven creates such a special culture. There’s something really meaningful about working toward shared goals every day. Whether that’s in early morning lifts, long bus rides, or big game moments. Competing at this level is exciting, but it’s the relationships and team bonds that make it unforgettable,” wrote Mara.
