“That was kind of the magical season,’’ recalled coach Ben Snyder, who was then in his first season after guiding the boys’ soccer program at the prep school in Dedham for 16 years.

“Everything came together right from the very beginning. We didn’t really have any bumps in the road.’’

This fall, Noble & Greenough started the season with championship aspirations, but the task was much more challenging. There were only six seniors on the roster and tournament experience was limited, with the team ousted in the quarterfinals of the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council’s tournament a year ago.

“I think our challenge was trying to make this season our own and find new ways to incorporate the younger girls,’’ said senior captain Kate Makaroff of Hanover, a four-year starter in the midfield.

Westwood’s Alex Johnson, a senior cocaptain, said that the Bulldogs “had to find new ways to win because it wasn’t going to be the same as ’08.

“It was different people, different game plans, and different strategies,’’ added Johnson, the team’s starting goalkeeper since the eighth grade.

“We knew coming into the season that nothing was going to be the same as ’08,’’ said senior Chelsea Landon of Norwell, a four-year starter at forward. “In the end though, we finished the same way, with our own magical ending.’’

Led by Makaroff, Johnson, and Landon, Noble won its second NEPSAC Class A title in three years, defeating the Westminster School of Simsbury, Conn., 2-0, in the championship match Sunday. The win capped a 15-2-1 season in which Noble captured its seventh Independent School League title in 10 years.

Snyder credits the role played by his seniors, who finished with a career record of 55-8-2.

“One of the challenges coaching high school teams is integrating 18-year-old, pretty-experienced athletes with a bunch of 14- and 15 year-olds who haven’t done that much, and try to get everybody on the same page,’’ he said. “We lost a few games that tested our character and ability to persevere, but our leaders were there to teach and lead, and they made our team as a whole feel more confident.’’

As a fifth-year starter, Johnson’s statistics in net are staggering. In 79 career games, she recorded an overall record of 65-10-4, including 50 shutouts. She also has four ISL titles to her credit, and this season had a goals-against average of .555 while recording 10 shutouts. With club background playing for the FC Stars of Massachusetts, Johnson will play for Boston College next fall.

“Having AJ back there gives us confidence that has been hugely important,’’ Makaroff said. “It’s changed the way that we play because we know we have our rock back there.’’

Considered by her coach to be the “engine’’ of the team, Makaroff contributed seven goals and seven assists this season. A veteran of the Scorpions Soccer Club, she will wear crimson when she plays for Harvard next year.

“She’s always where she needs to be and wins 90 percent of our headers,’’ Landon said. “Her presence on the field has a big impact on all of us.’’

Missing most of the season after breaking her nose in the third game, Landon returned to give the squad a boost and finished with four goals and two assists. Not limited to the pitch, Landon is also an accomplished lacrosse player with experience playing for the Revolution Lacrosse Club. She will play lacrosse at Duke next year.

Landon “still gives everything she’s got to soccer even though it isn’t her main sport,’’ Johnson said. “You feel like it’s her number one commitment and she takes it just as seriously.’’

The senior trio said being able to continue the school’s high level of achievement was gratifying, especially considering the amount of interest in the program. Noble & Greenough has won 15 of the 30 ISL titles that have been competed, which has garnered a following among those associated with the school.

“People care how you do,’’ Snyder said. “Teachers care, classmates care, alumni care. The tradition this school has built has been carried forth.’’

As they set their sights on future endeavors, Makaroff, Johnson, and Landon said they hope to duplicate their experiences with the Bulldogs.

“Being on the Nobles soccer team has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my four years here, without a doubt,’’ Landon said. “I think part of having success is enjoying what you’re doing and learning from those around you, and I definitely did that here.’’

Patrick McHugh can be reached at pmchugh@globe.com.