SherandoStonewall JacksonCentral head girls soccer coach Kim Dellinger said he’s been happy with what he’s seen from Wetzel and some other promising newcomers to mesh with an experienced squad. Central’s girls soccer team will once again look to lead the way, coming off of back-to-back state berths.“Preseason has been great,” Gladden said. “We are all […]
SherandoStonewall JacksonCentral head girls soccer coach Kim Dellinger said he’s been happy with what he’s seen from Wetzel and some other promising newcomers to mesh with an experienced squad.
Central’s girls soccer team will once again look to lead the way, coming off of back-to-back state berths.“Preseason has been great,” Gladden said. “We are all getting to know each other. Some of the girls I coached when they were just starting in travel at 8 years old, some I had never met. But the smiles, laughter and hard work have been a blessing for both sides.”Central is one of the favorites in the district and the region this season.The Warriors will be looking to find success this season under first-year coach Patrick Gladden.The Hawks have several key newcomers, including sophomores Kaitlyn Cummings and Maggie Alexander.Stonewall Jackson has several key returners in seniors Madison Poole and Tanija Davis and sophomore Kenzie Woods.Warren County’s girls soccer team has been on the rise for several years now and has a strong group of returners to help continue that.Warren County is in a tough district and region but will be looking to improve throughout the year.“The girls and I are trying our best to get to know one another,” Davis said. “As this progresses, I see our team growing more successful as the season goes on. I know (Gomez, Kepler and Mrizek) will be big parts of encouraging players to try their best and hopefully we will have a successful season as a team.”“I believe Skyline is going to have a strong showing this year, there is a good amount of talent spread across the field,” Sperling said. “I am confident in the girls’ abilities, and they have already shown amazing drive and commitment to doing their very best.”The Generals are looking to build off of last year’s team with several strong returners and some talented newcomers.Central will be led by senior returners Ava Pulizzi, Stella Good, Tine Mitchell, juniors Anna Bible and Amyah Neff and sophomores Bailee Cline, Bailey Vaughan and Kassidy Leake.Here’s a look at all of the area’s girls soccer teams this season.“I’m very excited on what (Wetzel) has the ability to contribute to the team,” Dellinger said. “She seems to be working very well with all players and is very versatile. We have also brought up some very talented players from JV that could potentially be key playmakers for the team this season, on both offense and defense.”Gladden, who has been an assistant coach with the girls program in the past, said it’s been nice to be the head coach.“(It’s been) like coming home,” Gladden said. “I graduated from here. My kids will graduate from here. My wife graduated from here. This is our family’s home. We’ve spent countless hours here with coaching and watching games. I want this to be a place these girls remember for being a home where they are safe to be kids and learn from all of the great staff and coaches that are here. It did wonders for me.”The Wildcats are looking to keep their strong tradition going.CentralStrasburg has several key newcomers in Emmalee Hamrick, Kennedi Mellott, Shiann Vigil and Lydia Mochoruk.Gladden said he’s been happy with the preseason the Warriors had.“So far the team is working very well together and continuing to get better each day of practice,” Dellinger said. “I expect us to be very competitive with each team in the district, and I trust we will learn from each game to improve ourselves and be our best when playoffs begin.”“I am the third head coach in four years for the program and I am hoping to bring some continuity and growth to the program,” Sperling said. “I’ve worked with these players and known many of them for years, including playing on Front Royal Soccer Association teams with my daughters and as the coach for last year’s junior varsity team. Additionally, I was the head coach for the Skyline indoor team for the last four sessions of the Winchester Indoor Soccer League. I am honored to be part of this team, along with my assistant coaches, returning Skyline High School assistant coach Daniel Megeath, and new assistant coach and Skyline High School soccer alumni Ashlyn Rosati. Together we look forward to continuing to work with them and seeing them grow as a team and individuals.”“As with most sports, the preseason has been a period of trial and error,” Davis said. “I am trying to get to know the girls and their abilities as well as trying to prepare them for the season. However, I have also seen a strong effort from all the girls who have come out to play. They have been putting their all into practice and have a thirst to learn more about the sport. I am excited to see what these girls will do once the season starts.”
The Wildcats return seven seniors and over half of last year’s starting lineup is back. Warren County’s Bridget Hay, Sadie Rosner and Addison Hannigan will be looking to lead the way again for the Wildcats.Sherando opens its season at Clarke County on Tuesday.Skyline has a strong nucleus of returners this season including seniors Kaitlyn Breeden, Kailey Hoyt, Grace Berry, Jamie Tharpe, Serenity Addison, Camila Osorio, Mariya Fuller and Karleigh Peacock, junior Tori Clark and sophomore Collette Antonio.“We just wrapped up participating in the Winchester Indoor Soccer League and the girls have shown tremendous progress,” Sperling said. “I definitely feel we are coming into this season stronger than we have previously and the team has a great attitude. They are definitely ready, excited and eager to get the season started.”“Our expectations for this season relies on continuing to get better every day we can, and bringing the best versions of ourselves to every practice, and game,” Lay said. “Our program is finding out what it means to go out there and compete every single game no matter who is on the other side of the field.”Junior Alexis Wetzel will also be looking to lead a group of newcomers.The Rams open their season at James Wood on Tuesday.The Generals have two key newcomers in freshmen Aliyah Ogle and Ava Eaton.Warren CountyThe Rams will also have a first-year coach this season as Strasburg graduate Abigail Davis takes over the program.Sperling said he’s excited to be the head coach of the team this season.The Hawks will be striving to keep improving this season under first-year head coach Rob Sperling.“These girls want the program to be relevant again,” Gladden said. “It’s been a while since any trophies have been lifted and they want to change that. From top to bottom this is the most skilled team I’ve ever seen here at Sherando. The sky is the limit for them. But they have to learn how to fly together.”Sherando has several key returners, including Morgan Catalano, Sophia Straightiff, Maggie Tenney and Rhys Neff.Strasburg has several key returners, including senior Hanna Gomez, Audrey Kepler and junior Rayna Mrizek.“We are aiming for a stronger season this year, with a bigger and younger roster we have a lot of good to come and are looking for a strong season of growth,” Wojtusiak said.Davis said the preseason has been a chance for her to get to know her players and vice-versa.StrasburgSeveral girls soccer teams in the area have good reason for high hopes this season.“We had a great Investment season this winter, with tons of girls showing up for our workouts all fall, and winter,” Warren County head girls soccer coach Grant Lay said. “The girls have brought a great amount of positive energy to the table, which will be key to this season. We continue to work on bringing urgency to everything we do and a positive attitude to every practice.”Stonewall Jackson opens its season on March 24 at Riverheads.The Falcons return most of their offense from last year’s squad, which advanced to the Class 2 state quarterfinals for the second straight year.SkylineSperling said the Hawks have had a successful offseason and preseason.“Preseason has been going well, the girls have been working hard together and coming together well,” Stonewall Jackson head girls soccer coach Samantha Wojtusiak said. “We are ready for our 20th season of soccer at Stonewall Jackson.”The Warriors also have some key newcomers this season in senior McKenna Hardy, sophomore Anna Foster (both didn’t play last year but have played before) and freshman Delaney Gladden.
