Colonel girls shut out Sherando

WINCHESTER — Prior to this season, James Wood junior Sloane Ferrebee said the last time she played forward was for her Under-8 soccer team.

With the way Ferrebee is playing now, it feels more like she's been playing up top for nearly a decade as opposed to honing her skills in defensive roles during that time.

Ferrebee assisted Jolie Jenkins' goal 12 minutes into the first half with a cross from the right side and finished Nayah Edwards' throw-in from the left side with a shot from 12 yards out nine minutes into the second half to help James Wood to a 2-0 win over Sherando on Tuesday at Kelican Stadium.

The Warriors (2-1) continued to show how much they've improved this season in the Class 4 Northwestern District opener for both teams, but the Colonels (2-0) had more shots (13-7) and more threatening attempts on goal. James Wood goalkeeper Alaynah McGuire (six saves) had to stop some shots with pace, but she didn't have to move much to make them in recording the shutout. Morgan Catalano made five saves for Sherando.

The Warriors held the Colonels without a shot for nearly 12 minutes. On James Wood's first shot of the game, Jenkins blasted in a shot off Catalano's outstretched arm for her fifth goal of the season.

The assist was Ferrebee's third of the season. She now has two goals as well, scoring the game-winner against Clarke County in a 5-4 win off Jenkins' assist in overtime last week.

Ferrebee said James Wood head coach Donavan Russell posed the idea of her playing forward after the team held tryouts during the first week of practice. Once James Wood started scrimmaging other teams, the plan solidified.

Ferrebee's typical position is defensive center midfielder, and last year she earned Class 4 Second Team All-State honors as a center back. But she's certainly making the most of the new challenge.

"So far, I've liked it a lot," Ferrebee said. "Getting to move the ball with Jolie a lot is really fun, and connect with our midfield, and Avery [Wright]."

Ferrebee and Jenkins have done a good job of finding each other to create opportunities. In addition to their time together at James Wood (the two juniors have both been on the varsity since they were freshman), they have six years of club experience as teammates for three different teams.

"We definitely grew up together, just playing together, so it's not unusual for us to pass [like we have to each other this season]," Ferrebee said. "It feels very natural. I know where she's going to run when I play that cross."

Jenkins has enjoyed the combination as well.

"When she started playing up top, I was really excited for her, because we've been playing together for so long," Jenkins said.

Sherando had a couple of great looks at the James Wood goal early while keeping the Colonels without a shot. After Jenkins' goal, James Wood picked up its play, and the Colonels felt they were at their best in the second half.

"I thought we did well in terms of possession and connecting the ball," Jenkins said.

Overall, Russell felt the Colonels showed advancement from the Clarke County game, and players looked more comfortable in their roles.

A James Wood defense that features center backs Maddie Heustis and Meadow Falkner and outside backs Nayah Edwards and freshman DeLaney Newcome was a big part of the team's growth.

In the second half, James Wood allowed only two shots and covered each other well when Sherando created opportunities. For example, Falkner made up a lot of ground to catch up to a Warrior player from behind in the box and prevented her from taking a clean shot five minutes into the second half.

"Alaynah hasn't spent a lot of time in goal with club, and she played well and solid," Russell said. "The way that Maddie Heustis and Meadow are moving together and covering each other, and the way [defensive midfielder] Mary [Kimble] is dropping in, is just beautiful. They're always kind of rotating through the spots and making sure it's taken care of in the back.

"DeLaney, you could tell she shook off some of those first-game nerves and played really well this game. Nayah was communicating fantastic. If our defense plays like that night in, night out, we'll be tough to score on."

Sherando had scored eight times in two games coming into Tuesday, including six in its previous game against Warren County.

Warriors coach Stacey Macoff said the team's experience is making a big difference — Sherando lost only two players from last year — and added the five freshmen have fit in seamlessly as far as skill and chemistry.

"I feel like our team's been playing really well," Macoff said. "We've been connecting, we've been opening up. I'm excited with the new players this year, with how it's really increased our attack and our mental game.

"I was pleased with the team today. I thought we hung in there. I would have liked to have seen us finish a couple of our opportunities, but that's soccer. I thought the girls executed their plan, fulfilled their role, and I'm really proud of how they played tonight."

Macoff said there's a lot to look forward to in the future.

"We have many different threats on our team this year," she said. "Many different girls are scoring goals. It's not just one or two girls that are scoring. We have assists coming from lots of different people."

Russell said he was impressed with Sherando's organization and communication on defense, and Macoff has liked what she's seen from her back line as well. Senior Averi Thomas, junior Maggie Tenney and freshmen Lillian Weisbrod and Tessa Pang make up the group in front of Catalano.

"Our defense has been stellar," Macoff said. "We have two freshmen starting on our defensive line, and they've been fantastic. They communicate, they step to the ball, and they don't play like freshmen."

Sherando is next in action on Thursday at home against Clarke County. James Wood will also host the Eagles in their next game, which will take place next Tuesday.

— Contact Robert Niedzwiecki at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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