Three months after they opened the 2024 girls’ soccer season against each other in a 5-4 overtime thriller won by James Wood at Clarke County’s Wilbur M. Feltner Stadium, the Colonels (Class 4) and Eagles (Class 2) both found themselves playing in state championship games.
For both tradition-rich squads, it’s going to take a pretty concerted effort to maintain their elite status given the quality of players who graduated.
Led by three All-State players in midfielder McKenna Newcome (now at Shenandoah University), forward Jolie Jenkins (Clemson University) and defender Maddie Heustis, James Wood won its first-ever regional title and won its first-ever state tournament games before finally falling 3-0 to John Champe in the Class 4 final.
Jenkins and Newcome — The Winchester Star’s 2022 Player of the Year — combined for 39 goals and 26 assists last year, and Newcome ended her career ranked first in school history in assists (67) and second in goals (76). Jenkins ranked first in goals (78).
With 14 returning players, the Colonels still have an abundance of experience.
Heustis is the only starter who graduated from a defense that recorded 11 shutouts and surrendered just 16 goals. James Wood brings back Region 4D Second Team selection Meadow Falkner, a junior center back, as well as junior All-Region Honorable Mention selections Avery Wright (five goals, eight assists) and goalkeeper Alaynah McGuire (0.73 goals against average). Senior Nayah Edwards returns after missing last year’s postseason with an injury, as well as junior Reese Lessard who stepped in for Edwards.
Other returning Colonels include Second Team All-District selections Sloane Ferrebee (six goals, 11 assists) and Maddie Shirley, both senior midfielders.
Clarke County (19-5) lost in a penalty-kick shootout following a scoreless regulation and overtime to Glenvar in last year’s state final, snapping a 41-game winning streak against Class 2 foes. Last year’s team had several players who helped the 2021 and 2023 teams win state titles.
The Eagles lost 13 seniors from last year’s squad, including six who earned All-State honors and eight who earned All-Region honors. Madison Toone (now at NCAA Division I Old Dominion, Toone was a two-time Winchester Star Player of the Year and 2023 Class 2 PoY who scored 128 goals in 50 career games); her twin sister Summer Toone (89 goals in her last three seasons, now at NCAA Division I Longwood); Kelsey Elrod (92 goals in her final three seasons); center back Lily Suling (10 assists last year); defender Sidney Shinabery and midfielder Campbell Neiman. Clarke County also lost a First Team All-Region goalkeeper in Shinabery’s twin sister Avery (17 shutouts).
Clarke County does bring back two Second Team All-Region players in senior forward Leah Mitchell (16 goals, six assists) and senior center back Kyleigh Goforth. Senior forward and midfielder Makenna Jarvis had seven goals and three assists last season.
James Wood’s Donavan Russell and Clarke County’s Ray Hawkins are the only local head coaches back from last year. Mike Danielson (Handley), Patrick Gladden (Sherando) and Karlie Hepner, who takes over at her alma mater at Millbrook, are the area’s new head coaches.
Handley — which went 12-3-2 overall and 1-0-1 against James Wood last year — has the only returning local All-State player from the 10 who were selected for Class 4 and Class 2. Senior forward Emeryce Worrell — who has signed with NCAA Division I Auburn University — ranked second in the area with 29 goals and led the area with 18 assists en route to earning Class 4 Northwestern District Player of the Year and First Team All-State honors in 2024.
Handley also returns Region 4D Honorable Mention selection Mia Hudson (14 goals, five assists), a junior midfielder; sophomore center back Reese Craig (Second Team All-Region 4D) and sophomore midfielder Lily Boula (Second Team All-District, four goals, three assists).
Sherando (8-8) lost its two leading scorers in Ella Sampsell and Anna Hill (combined 21 goals and 13 assists). The Warriors do bring back junior midfielder Olivia Lee (four goals, eight assists, First Team All-District) and Second Team All-District midfielders Sophia Straightiff (senior) and Sienna Forrer (junior, six assists). Junior Carleigh Ritter is back after scoring six goals last year and senior goalkeeper Rhys Neff, who will play for NCAA Division III Mary Baldwin University, returns after averaging an area-best 9.1 saves per game to go with a 2.24 goals against average.
Millbrook (5-7-3) will be led by First Team All-District selection Molly Ludwig, a senior midfielder who led the team with five goals last year. Also returning are Second Team All-District selections Kaitlyn Arthur (senior forward) and Ella Mannarino (junior defender).
The following is a breakdown provided by the area coaches:
James Wood
Coach: Donavan Russell, sixth season
Last year: 17-2-3 (6-1-1 Class 4 Northwestern District); Region 4D champions; lost to John Champe in Class 4 championship game.
Key losses: McKenna Newcome, Maddie Heustis, Jolie Jenkins, Kelsey Gass, Jasmine Hackman.
Key returnees: Alaynah McGuire, So., GK; Eva DeMattei, Sr., M; Mary Kimble, Sr., M; Maddie Shirley, Sr., M; Nayah Edwards, Sr., D; Sloane Ferrebee, Sr., M; Grace Zelaya Rivas, Sr., F; Avery Wright, Jr., D; Meadow Falkner, Jr., D; Reese Lessard, Jr., D; Kierny Prunty, Jr., M; DeLaney Newcome, So., M; Ava Manzo, So., M; Ella Watson, Jr., M.
Key newcomers: Karlie Orndorff, So., D; Stephanie Andrade Barco, Fr., F; Aubrie Darnell, So., M; Emily Kimmel, So., M; Raygen Eback, So., M.
Russell’s outlook: “It’s great having a core group of players returning this season. We are bringing back 14 players with state tournament experience. I expect our six seniors and team leaders to capitalize on that and show the younger players what it takes to compete on match days. The girls have been working hard during preseason in preparation to defend our regional title and have goals to return to the state tournament again this season.”
First game: Tuesday vs. Strasburg
Clarke County
Coach: Ray Hawkins, third season
Last year: 19-5 (12-0 Bull Run District); district regular-season and tournament champions; Region 2B champions; lost to Glenvar in Class 2 championship game.
Key losses: Madison Toone, Summer Toone, Campbell Neiman, Lily Suling, Kelsey Elrod, Sidney Shinabery, Avery Shinabery, Olivia Morise, Josie Gray, Danyelle Franz, Heather Cartagena, Tatiana Garcia, Ivana Betancourth.
Key returnees: Leah Mitchell, Sr., F; Kyleigh Goforth, Sr., D; Morgan Walker, Sr., D; Makenna Jarvis, Sr., F/M; Miriam Rojas, Sr., D.
Key newcomers: Aubrey Wagner, Jr., F; Brianna Mayo, Jr., GK; Maddie Sheppard, So., M; Hayley Cornett, Jr., D; Isabel Aliveto, So., F; Ashley Moran, So., M; Coraleen Escobar, Jr., M.
Hawkins’ outlook: “If you ask the girls, the goal is always to go back to Salem for the state finals. I think that is an achievable goal this year. We are young after graduating 13 seniors but this is a great group of hard-working and talented student-athletes. With the district and the region, Central will be setting the standard. The finals should be with them and hopefully us as well. Last year’s group of seniors is in many ways irreplaceable, but this year’s group has a positivity that they can achieve anything if they set out to do it. I wouldn’t count them out of anything. If we can balance out the attack, and build on the experienced players that we bring back we will be in good shape.
“I think with the senior group that we have here, it’s their moment to shine. Leah, Kyleigh, Makenna, Morgan and Miriam will really provide the leadership for the younger girls coming in, but many of these players excelled at the JV level against really talented teams in James Wood and Sherando. Aubrey, Bria, Maddie and Ashley, I think they will find their groove fairly quickly.”
First game: Tuesday vs. Sherando
Handley
Coach: Mike Danielson, first season
Last year: 12-3-2 (7-0-1 Class 4 Northwestern District); lost to Orange County in Region 4D quarterfinals.
Key losses: Allie Roberts, Mia Kerns, Madison Hobson, Bella Balio, Brie Wilson, Corin Edsell.
Key returnees: Emeryce Worrell, Sr., F; Audrey DeArment Jr., D; Stephanie Truban Jr., M; Mia Hudson, Jr., M; Reese Craig, So., D; Lily Boula, So., M.
Key newcomers: Isabelle Flint, Fr., D.
Danielson’s outlook: “I believe we have a very competitive team that has the ability to do very well in the district and region. We lost some very good seniors last year but we still have a group of talented girls for this year’s team. My hope is we come together as a team, work hard individually and for each other, and if we do, positive results will follow. Each of the other local teams will be good and will challenge us each time we play them. I believe we match up well talent-wise against each team, but like myself, there are other new coaches who will bring a new style of play that we will have to learn and adjust to.
“We can always improve on our technical skills and the ability to read the game. During our training sessions, I have challenged the girls to get better each time they train. I want them to be better at reading the game as it unfolds in front of them so they can be supportive and work together effectively. I am impressed with the quality of the team overall. I am happy with our progression as a group and hope the level of intensity and quality remains high throughout the season.”
First game: Monday vs. Heritage (Leesburg)
Sherando
Coach: Patrick Gladden, first season
Last year: 8-8 (3-5 Class 4 Northwestern District).
Key losses: Hailey Malinowski, Anna Hill, Joyce Mpanya, Ella Sampsell, Averi Thomas, Maddy Sluss, Makenna Blair.
Key returnees: Sophia Straightiff, Sr., M; Maggie Tenney, Sr., D; Morgan Catalano, Sr., M; McKenna Hardy, Sr., D; Rhys Neff, Sr., G; Sienna Forrer, Jr., M; Carleigh Ritter, Jr., M/F.
Key newcomers: Anna Foster, So., F; Delaney Gladden, Fr., D.
Gladden’s outlook: “This is the most talented team with foot skill I’ve ever seen here from top to bottom. Growing as a unit with those skills should be a lot of fun to coach and watch. There has been some turnover in the district on other teams so all of the games locally should be a ton of fun to be in. Every game is going to be competitive and full of surprises. Each of the coaches at the other three schools are extremely good at what they do. I think every team will be well prepared to battle it out for 80 minutes.
“This year will be a better year for this group due to them going through some pains the last few years together. Win or lose, they understand that all we want is their best effort. They need to move the ball faster. There’s lots of technical ability, but if the ball is slow, it’s easy to defend. They all smile each day at practice. They work their tails off each day. And they all deserve to have the best year possible for their resiliency and passion to the game and their school.”
First game: Tuesday at Clarke County
Millbrook
Coach: Karlie Hepner, first season
Last year: 5-7-3 (3-5 Class 4 Northwestern District).
Key losses: Cameron Park, Molly Deegan, Hailey Williams, Brianna Ramos, Mallory Upson, Skylar Decker, Juliana Godwin.
Key returnees: Isabella Lingo, So., D/F; Ella Mannarino, Jr., M/F/D; Victoria Nakai-Kerns, So., M/F; Madeline Espinoza, Jr., M; Jade Onwonga, Sr., M; Sydney Cox, Sr., M; Kaitlyn Arthur, Sr., F; Alexis Brookshire, Sr., D; Molly Ludwig, Sr., M/F; Ayelen Arias, Jr., M; Jamilee Festa, Sr., F; Ashley Bonilla Dominguez, Jr., M/D.
Key newcomers: Kate Caceres Taveras, Sr., GK; Delaney Fry, So., M/D; Kayla Herrera, Sr., M/F; Caroline Ludwig, Fr., M/D; Mara Mennard, Fr., M/F; Glendy Pineda, Jr., M/D; Candelaria Velasquez-Lopez, Sr., D/F.
Hepner’s outlook: “I’m super grateful to have inherited this group of girls. They have really been embracing what new we’re trying to do with our fitness and our tactics. They all have such wonderful, yet contrasting personalities and play styles, which makes for a really cool team dynamic. They’re working hard and holding each other accountable. They’re getting gritty and competitive, which I love to see. I have outstanding leadership from my upperclassmen and some talented underclassmen with loads of potential, so I’m both optimistic and excited to see what we’ll do this season.”
First game: Wednesday at Warren County
— Contact Robert Niedzwiecki at rniedzwiecki@winchesterstar.com
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