WINCHESTER — James Wood head coach Donavan Russell was enthusiastic about his team’s experience level coming into the season, and Tuesday night was the latest example of just how well the Colonels are gelling.
The Colonels remained unscored upon this season and improved to 3-0 with a 2-0 win over previously undefeated Millbrook in high school girls’ soccer action at James Wood’s Kelican Stadium.
The Colonels were challenged by the Pioneers (2-1), but James Wood did well to create many more scoring opportunities than the Pioneers.
The Colonels finished with a 16-6 shot edge and received goals from DeLaney Newcome in the first half and Kierny Prunty in the second. Some brilliant goaltending by freshman Elena Washington (nine saves) kept the Pioneers one chance away from tying the contest until Prunty redirected Avery Wright’s cross from the right side into the back of the net. The score came from just outside the goal box in the center of the field in the 67th minute.
Though the Colonels have a lot of veterans who have played at the highest level, Russell didn’t necessarily expect the Colonels to have outscored their opponents 8-0 and be playing as well as they have through three games. But the team’s veterans are leading the way and keeping everyone on the same page.
“We’ve got nine girls who played in the state finals game and that [state] tournament [in 2024],” Russell said. “They know what needs to be done. But we’ve got three freshmen, two juniors in their first time on varsity. [The returning varsity players] are trying to teach the younger girls what it takes to get things done.”
The Colonels lost their leading scorer in Maddie Shirley, but their No. 2 player in points from last year is picking up right where she left off.
Newcome (seven goals and a team-high 11 assists last year) scored her fourth goal of the season on Tuesday. It was set up by Aubrie Darnall stealing the ball twice from Millbrook players — once after tracking back to the midfield circle after her pass from the top of the 18 was intercepted, and again after one of her teammates’ passes went to a Millbrook player.
Darnall pushed the ball ahead to Newcome, and the junior midfielder took one touch before sending a high shot from just outside the box into the far left section of the goal in the 17th minute.
“I was really impressed with Aubrie tonight,” said Russell of the player who had two goals in the season opener against Liberty. “She’s really stepped up this season. She became kind of a starter last year, but she’s clearly put in a ton of work. She’s so important to us in the midfield.”
Newcome wants to do whatever she can to help the Colonels. If she needs to be the one scoring, she’ll do it. If she needs to be a distributor, she’ll do that. Newcome played the ball perfectly along the ground to Wright to set up the second goal. Wright shielded her defender with her body, let the ball roll into space to the right, got herself facing forward with a turn, then played the ball toward Prunty.
“We’ve had to all work together to get our goals so far,” Newcome said. “We had a good team goal [for the second goal on Tuesday]. Working together is what I wanted us to work on coming into the season.
“I think all of us work very, very hard. We always have a good relationship with each other. We have a few more younger players now, and we’re helping them [understand the team expectations]. If we come out strong, and if we work together, we know that we’re going to get our result that we want.”
Russell said he can tell how hard Newcome has worked since last season as well.
“Tonight, we asked her to play strong,” Russell said. “We knew Millbrook was going to be a physical team that likes to really go at the ball, and in the middle, we had to be strong. Del, this was one of the strongest games she’s played for us. Just the physical force of holding herself and not getting pushed over, and really getting the ball and getting to where we needed to be [was important].”
In addition to Newcome, Wright continues to be an important source of offense, but now she’s a forward option and not just a defender or midfielder option for that. She’s assisted three goals and scored once this year.
Russell said Wright’s been battling an illness and wasn’t 100 percent Tuesday.
“She still plays so hard,” Russell said. “Getting her skill, and her drive, and her leadership up the field has just been crucial to winning games.”
Russell has been able to move Wright forward because of his confidence in defenders Meadow Falkner, Reese Lessard and Karlie Orndorff. Darnall can also be used as a center back.
“They have shined,” Russell said. “They’re so solid back there.”
Alaynah McGuire made three saves for the Colonels. Her biggest play was when she went to the ground to gather the ball in traffic after a cross went off a Millbrook player’s shins in the 63rd minute to keep the score 1-0.
Millbrook coach Karlie Hepner credited James Wood for coming out hard and strong, and maintaining that level of play. She feels her team will work hard to rebound from the defeat.
“I’m proud of the effort tonight,” said the second-year head coach. “I’m proud of the toughness. I’m proud of the resilience. We learn and we grow. It was a good challenge for us tonight.”
Hepner gave a lot of credit to the way her defensive players performed, including center back Ayris Sanchez-Vargas and Ashley Bonilla Dominguez.
“Ayris plays super hard,” Hepner said. “Ashley had the best game I’ve ever seen her play.”
Washington was particularly impressive, making diving saves and hustling for loose balls.
“Elena kept us in it,” Hepner said. “Elena’s really embracing her role. She’s becoming vocal. She’s stepping up as a young player.”
Millbrook will play at Rocktown on Thursday and James Wood will host Handley at 5:30 p.m. on Friday.
— Contact Robert Niedzwiecki at rniedzwiecki@winchesterstar.com
Follow on X @WinStarSports1