Girls' soccer preview: Clarke County looks to continue dominance

This time around, the Clarke County girls’ soccer team’s state title defense might be a little harder to stop.

The 2022 team lost five starters from the 2021 championship squad, including its best player in Madison Toone due to an injury. The Eagles made a strong run, but after a 20-0 start they lost their last two games, with the final defeat coming in the Class 2 quarterfinals.

The 2024 team has lost three starters from the 2023 state championship team, but the amount of returning talent from a squad that went 24-0 and outscored opponents 181-4 is staggering.

The Eagles have 17 returning varsity players — 13 of whom are seniors — eight returning starters, four All-State players, and seven All-Region 2B and All-Bull Run District players. The Eagles’ returning players combined for 176 of their 181 goals last year, when they won every game by at least four goals.

That group is led by Toone, the Class 2 and Winchester Star Girls’ Player of the Year. The senior midfielder led the area with 58 goals and 24 assists last year and has signed with NCAA Division I Marshall University. Toone’s twin sister Summer, a forward, also earned First Team All-State honors last year, tying for third in the area with 30 goals and tying for fifth with 13 assists. She has signed with NCAA Division I Longwood University.

Clarke also returns First Team All-State selections Kelsey Elrod (senior forward, second in the area with 41 goals and fourth with 15 assists) and Lily Suling (senior defender, second in the area with 23 assists); and Second Team All-Region selections and senior Campbell Neiman (midfielder), junior Leah Mitchell (forward, 20 goals, six assists) and senior Olivia Morise (forward, nine goals, 11 assists).

Suling is also part of a stout defense that also returns two other starters in the senior Shinabery twins. Avery posted 20 shutouts in goal and Sidney excelled as an outside back.

Clarke County’s most intriguing opponent will likely be its first. The Eagles host James Wood on March 14. Clarke County will play four total games against the Colonels and Sherando in March.

James Wood also brings back eight starters and two Division I commits from a team that went 17-4 and advanced to the state tournament for the first time in program history. James Wood’s final two games were losses against the two Class 4 state finalists (champion Tuscarora and runner-up Western Albemarle).

Like Madison Toone, Colonels senior midfielder McKenna Newcome has also signed with Marshall. A First Team Class 4 All-State selection, Region 4C Co-Player of the Year and Class 4 Northwestern District Player of the Year, Newcome tied for second in the area with 30 goals and ranked third with 22 assists.

James Wood also brings back junior forward Jolie Jenkins, who has verbally committed to Clemson University. Jenkins tied for fifth in the area with 25 goals, ranked 10th with 10 assists and was a Region 4C First Team selection.

Other returners for the Colonels include Region 4C First Team selections and junior midfielders Sloane Ferrebee and Maddie Shirley (tied for fifth in the area with 13 assists and also had seven goals); Region 4C Second Team selection Avery Wright (sophomore defender, five assists); and All-District Second Team pick Jasmine Hackman (seven goals, seven assists), a senior midfielder.

Handley’s defense was hit hard by graduation. The Judges (14-6) do bring back plenty of offensive firepower, including All-Region 4C First Team selections Emeryce Worrell (junior forward, tied for fifth in the area with 25 goals and tied for seventh with 12 assists) and Madison Hobson (senior midfielder, tied for seventh in the area with 12 assists, also had five goals); and Second Team All-District selections Mia Hudson (nine goals, seven assists) and Stephanie Truban (three goals, three assists), both sophomore forwards.

Sherando (6-11-1) will be led by senior forward Ella Sampsell (Second Team All-Region 4C, 12 goals); Second Team All-District selections Anna Hill (senior forward), Sophia Straightiff (junior midfielder) and Maggie Tenney (junior defender); and Honorable Mention All-District pick Hailey Malinowski (senior defender).

Millbrook (6-11) will feature All-Region 4C Second Team selections and juniors Molly Ludwig (midfielder/forward, 14 goals) and Kaitlyn Arthur (forward, four goals, four assists).

The following is a glance at each team:

Clarke County

Coach: Ray Hawkins, second season.

Last year: 24-0 (14-0 Bull Run District); district regular-season and tournament champions; Region 2B champions; Class 2 state champions.

Key losses: Ella O’Donnell, Audrey Price, Bailey Mayo.

Key returnees: Madison Toone, Sr., M; Summer Toone, Sr., F; Kelsey Elrod, Sr., F; Lily Suling, Sr., D; Campbell Neiman, Sr., M; Leah Mitchell, Jr., F; Olivia Morise, Sr., F; Sidney Shinabery, Sr., D; Avery Shinabery, Sr., GK; Josie Gray, Sr., F; Morgan Walker, Jr., D; Kyleigh Goforth, Jr., D; Makenna Jarvis (five goals), Jr., M; Tatiana Garcia, Sr., M; Ivana Betancourth, Sr., M; Heather Cartagena, Sr., M; Danyelle Franz, Sr., D.

Key newcomer: Miriam Rojas, Jr., D.

Hawkins’ outlook: “Ella O’Donnell, Audrey Price and Bailey Mayo were key leaders on the field and fantastic players, plus they provided great character leadership on and off the field. They cannot be replaced but several younger players will make great attempts to do so this season. From last year we have a very experienced team returning. This team is extremely talented and has a deep chemistry from years of playing together, plus there is a depth of talent at almost all of the positions on the field. I hope this senior class is able to walk off the field this year proud that they have set records that might never be broken in this school’s history. They are a great group of kids on and off the field, but especially this senior class.

“Campbell Neiman who struggled with injury early on last season will have more of a chance to get forward and get goals this year, Ivana Betancourth has been improving in club play in the offseason, and I am excited to see what she does this year. From a work ethic perspective, Avery and Sidney Shinabery have no rivals on the team. They will leave it all on the field this season. Honestly, the combination of Campbell, Madison, Summer, Kelsey, Josie and Olivia will be a wonderful show to watch. Plus Kyleigh and Morgan in the back four should match their talent with some experience that Lily and Sidney provide from last season as well.”

First game: March 14 vs. James Wood

James Wood

Coach: Donavan Russell, fifth season.

Last year: 17-4 (11-1 Class 4 Northwestern District); district regular-season and tournament champions; lost to Western Albemarle in Class 4 state quarterfinals.

Key losses: Lydia Watson, Brooke Geary, Allison Brant, Jes Taylor (transferred).

Key returnees: McKenna Newcome, Sr., M; Jolie Jenkins Jr., F; Maddie Heustis Sr., D, Jasmine Hackman, Sr., M; Kelsey Gass, Sr., M; Avery Wright, So., D, Sloane Ferrebee, Jr., M; Gracie Zelaya Rivas (four goals, four assists), Jr., F; Nayah Edwards, Jr., D; Maddie Shirley, Jr., M; Eva DeMattei, Jr., M; Reese Lessard, So., D.

Key newcomers: Mary Kimble, Jr., M; Kierny Prunty, So., D; Meadow Falkner, So., D (transfer from Lightridge); Alaynah McGuire, Fr., GK, Ava Manzo, Fr., M; Ella Watson, So., M. DeLaney Newcome, Fr., M.

Russell’s outlook: “It’s exciting having a core group of players returning this season. I expect us to compete with high energy and poise on game nights. Our team goal is to return to the state tournament again this year. It’s going to be an interesting season with the new format. Without the district tournament, the regular season is extremely important. While we are disappointed that we can’t defend our district [tournament] title from last year, we are excited to push ourselves in the new regional format to be the best team that we can be.”

First game: March 14 at Clarke County

Handley

Coach: Nicole Hobson, second season.

Last year: 14-6 (10-2 Class 4 Northwestern District); lost to Tuscarora in Region 4C semifinals.

Key losses: Emma Westfall, Lauren Mason, Samantha Stevens, Payton Craig, Alivia Ricci, Jailynn Rivera.

Key returnees: Emeryce Worrell, Jr., F; Madison Hobson, Sr., D; Mia Hudson, So., F; Stephanie Truban, So., F; Audrey DeArment, So., D; Mia Kern, Sr., D; Bella Balio, Sr., F; Brie Wilson, Sr., D.

Key newcomers: Allie Roberts, Sr., GK; Corin Edsell, Sr., D (transfer from Spring Mills, W.Va.); Reese Craig, Fr., D; Lily Boula, Fr., F; Brooklyn Campbell, Fr., F.

Hobson’s outlook: “We lost several seniors last year who were not just gritty and tough, but had excellent soccer IQs as well. I expect us to take a little bit to figure out the formations that work best for us this year. We have a great group of kids with positive attitudes and a desire to learn and grow. I have been impressed with all of our returning players from last year. I am equally excited at the potential I see in many of our younger players. I do think we have the potential to be one of the top teams in our region.”

First game: Tuesday at Potomac Falls

Sherando

Coach: Stacey Macoff, third season.

Last year: 6-11-1 (5-6-1 Class 4 Northwestern District); lost to James Wood in district semifinals.

Key losses: Delaney Grigsby, Alba Amor Lopez.

Key returnees: Averi Thomas, Sr., D.; Makenna Blair, Sr., D; Maggie Tenney, Jr., D; Hailey Malinowski, Sr., D; Joyce Mpanya Mutoba, Sr., M; Maddy Sluss, Sr., M; Sophia Straightiff, Jr., M; Ella Guntang, Jr., M; Olivia Lee, So., M; Sienna Forrer, So., M; Anna Hill, Sr., F; Ella Sampsell, Sr., F; Morgan Catalano (5.0 saves per game), Jr., GK; Rhys Neff, Jr., GK.

Key newcomers: Lily Weisbrod, Fr., D; Tessa Pang, Fr., D; Mia Catalano, Fr., M; Mia Bordogna, Fr., M.

Macoff’s outlook: “We expect our girls will rise to the challenge of a very competitive district, to perform at a high level, and to finish more opportunities this year. We are returning almost an entire team and we have some very talented newcomers that round out our lineup nicely. Any time you can return a large number of athletes it’s good because that chemistry and communication start off so much higher. Right now we are focused on helping the newcomers get adjusted and allowing them to develop a solid role within our team. We have a strong group of seniors who are really set on pushing our team to the next level this year. We are so proud of how they have grown both on the field and as leaders over the years. They have been consistently improving their skills over the years and they are excited about the new mix of players and talent, and what that can mean for our entire team.

“The local teams are all talented so every game is going to require us to be focused and performing at our highest level. The new postseason format will be a challenge this season. Even with the challenges, we are confident in our abilities as a team and expect to build upon the improvements we made last year and finish even higher.”

First game: Tuesday at Millbrook

Millbrook

Coach: Rob Douglas, fifth season.

Last year: 6-11 (4-8 Class 4 Northwestern District); lost to Sherando district first round.

Key losses: Carolina Arias, Maddy Haines, Abby Rodriguez, Izzy Saville, Kate Schwartzmiller, Maria Nith, Hannah Stephanites, Jamie Trieber.

Key returnees: Skylar Decker (four shutouts, 1.82 GAA, 7.8 saves per game), Sr., GK; Molly Deegan Sr., M/F; Cameron Park, Sr., GK; Brianna Ramos, Sr., D/M; Mallory Upson, Sr., D/M; Hailey Williams, Sr., D; Kaitlyn Arthur, Jr., F; Jamilee Festa, Jr., F; Molly Ludwig, Jr., F/M; Alexis Brookshire, Jr., M/F; Ella Mannarino, So., D/M.

Key newcomers: Sydney Cox, Jr. D/M; Juliana Godwin, Jr., D; Jade Onawanga, Jr., D; Aylen Arias, So., M/B; Ashley Bonilla-Dominguez, So., D; Madeline Espinoza, So., F/M; Victoria Nakai-Kerns, Fr., M/F; Isabella Lingo, Fr., D.

Douglas’ outlook: “We are very excited to get the season started. The players have continued to work hard in training and are very open to what we are going to do. The team has very solid leadership with Skylar Decker, Molly Deegan and Mallory Upson serving as captains. They have taken the lead on and off the field and do it in a positive way. We have several other leaders who have been showing that during training. We have a very fast and athletic group returning. Players who have shown continued improvement and are very important to us as a team are Molly Deegan, Brianna Ramos, Kaitlyn Arthur, Jamilee Festa, Molly Ludwig and Alexis Brookshire. Skylar Decker and Cameron Park return in goal and have been competing in training very well. Mallory Upson, Hailey Williams and Ella Mannarino add versatility to the team which is always a bonus. We had two freshmen make the team this year in Victoria Nakai-Kerns and Isabella Lingo, who have added to the team in an impactful way.

“With what this group has shown so far I see us continuing to be a difficult team to play against. The versatility of the team along with our athleticism will be the strength of the team. Our region continues to be very strong with James Wood’s, Sherando’s and Handley’s programs being very solid. Now you add in Charlottesville and Orange. Each and every game, it’s very important that we come out and play hard for eighty minutes.”

First game: Tuesday vs. Sherando

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