Marley Greene and Cali Pulver have been teammates since playing club soccer years ago, but more importantly, they have been friends.

Now seniors and co-captains of the Lake Minneola High School girls soccer team, their shared history has become one of the strongest assets of the school’s program.  

“We started from junior varsity then eventually worked our way up to varsity,” Marley says.

Soccer has been part of the duo’s lives since their childhood in the Clermont area. 

Cali says she began playing in recreational leagues around age 8, before transitioning into club soccer. “I just really liked it,” she says. “And then I got into club and that’s how I knew Marley before high school.”

Marley’s introduction to the game began even earlier.

“I’ve been playing soccer since I was 5,” she says. “My parents wanted me to try everything out just to see what I liked. And I really just loved soccer.”

Their love of the sport remained steady through four years of high school as they balanced academics, work and other activities. That consistency played a role in them being named co-captains.

“I would say it’s mostly about attitude,” Cali says. “Being a leader is more than just your skill level on the field.”

As captains, Marley and Cali stay aware of their teammates’ needs and emphasize encouragement and communication. They agree that leadership means paying attention to what’s happening at all times, whether they’re on the field or otherwise.

“You have to be encouraging and listen to others, but also be an example for people,” Cali says.

Their friendship made that responsibility easier. Marley says their bond helps them communicate with each other and with their coach Bryon Kelso when they notice something affecting the team.

“We come together to look out for our teammates,” Marley says. “We use our friendship to spread that positivity.”

Before games, the team focuses on mindset and faith. They pray together, lean on one another and work to stay present. 

Their approach has made a noticeable difference. Last year, Lake Minneola finished with a 2–12 record. This year, the team opened the season with nine straight wins.

“Now we’re undefeated,” Marley says. “It’s definitely a big shift.”

Still, they modestly refuse to take full credit for the program’s turnaround. They credit coaching changes. 

Marley explains that the program lost a coach during their freshman year and an interim coach stepped in. The current coach brings club-level experience and a more hands-on approach.

“Our coach now has coached many club teams, so he’s more involved, which makes us more involved.”

Both athletes also play lacrosse, a sport neither initially planned to pursue. Cali says she started lacrosse her freshman year after encouragement from a friend.

“I did not know anything about the sport until I got to high school and one of my friends who played convinced me to try out for the team,” she says.

Last year, Marley also took up lacrosse, a sport she describes as fast-paced and challenging.

“I thought it was going to be something similar to soccer,” she says. “I was very wrong, but it was so very fun.”

Cali is also captain of the lacrosse team. 

Both are balancing busy schedules outside of sports. They work, take college classes through full dual enrollment and are preparing for graduation. They will both graduate high school with an associate degree from Lake-Sumter State College. 

Cali hopes to pursue orthopedics and sports medicine while attending the University of Florida. Marley is considering a career in dentistry and hopes to attend Florida State University.

Both say that soccer has prepared them well.

“We just wanted to help everyone come together and work towards the same goal,” Marley says. “It’s been a blast and I wouldn’t change anything.” 

Photos: Nicole Hamel