Girls: York (VA) poised for postseason run

Coach Amanda Atwell came into this season with high expectations and the regular season did not disappoint. With her squad averaging 10 wins over the last three seasons (including a shortened 2021) her goal was to challenge her team and make it back to the class 3 state tournament. As one of the smaller schools in southeastern Virginia she scheduled five games versus class 5 opponents and came away 4-0-1 in those matches including wins over Gloucester, Hickory, and Woodside. A 0-0 draw against the top team in region 5B Menchville was no small feat and showed that their defense which posted 11 clean sheets this year can compete with anyone in the state. The Falcons are set up well for a post season run after finishing 11-3-2 and earning the number two seed in region 3A. Along with number one seed Lafayette Rams they are the favorites to earn one of the two coveted spots in the VHSL class 3 state tournament. <strong>Top underclassman players include:</strong> [caption id="attachment_45146" align="alignright" width="205"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-45146" src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/05/84BDDB87-4BB5-4719-8E10-31327F7B3FF1-205x300.jpeg" alt="" width="205" height="300" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="45289" first="Ashley" last="Hunt"]</strong>[/caption]<strong>GK [player_tooltip player_id="45289" first="Ashley" last="Hunt"], York, Class of 2023</strong> An aggressive and experienced shot stopper with great/strong hands and long-range punting ability, Hunt is an elite-level keeper who can come out of the box and is comfortable with the ball at her feet. She is a poised and confident goalie who can play out of pressure. With great vision and spatial awareness, she has posted 11 clean sheets this season while only conceding nine goals in the 16 competitions. She is arguably one of the best in southeastern Virginia. Selected to the VHSL Class 3 All-Region first team as a sophomore, she will play her upcoming season with the newly established VA Reign 04/05 ECNL regional league (VA). &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; [caption id="attachment_45162" align="alignright" width="241"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-45162" src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/05/87602811-6269-45B3-A3C7-593C47B830CC-241x300.jpeg" alt="" width="241" height="300" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="41099" first="Audrey" last="Atwell"]</strong>[/caption]<strong>CM [player_tooltip player_id="41099" first="Audrey" last="Atwell"], York, Class of 2023 </strong> Atwell is a dynamic box-to-box midfielder with great vision who isn’t afraid to challenge aerial balls or go in for a strong tackle. She is a versatile and unselfish playmaker who looks to connect, break lines, and shoot from range. Both a goal scorer and the leading assisting player on her team (eight goals/seven assists), she is great at creating opportunities for others and knows when to challenge the box. One of York’s confident leaders, she can accurately provide service over distance while under pressure making her an offensive threat from range, on set pieces, and on counterattacks. Selected to the VHSL Class 3 All-Region first team and to the All-Tidewater second team as a sophomore, she will play her upcoming season with the newly established VA Reign 04/05 ECNL regional league (VA). &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; [caption id="attachment_45157" align="alignright" width="228"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-45157" src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/05/E1102FE3-A9F5-4B9D-8118-17CA3EE84F45-228x300.jpeg" alt="" width="228" height="300" /> <strong>Jenny Calderon</strong>[/caption] <strong>CM Jenny Calderon, York, Class of 2023</strong> A quick, creative, cerebral player who is good under pressure and likes the ball at her feet. Jenny is strong in traffic, spatially aware, and committed to organizing play quickly. She possesses a high soccer IQ and is a player who can play fast with purpose. She is not afraid to take on players 1v1 and is good in 1-2 touch combination play. Her competitive spirit and drive have enabled her to post seven goals and six assists on the season. Selected to the VHSL Class 3 All-Region first team as a sophomore, she will play her upcoming season with the newly established VA Reign 04/05 ECNL regional league (VA). &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; [caption id="attachment_45148" align="alignright" width="223"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-45148" src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/05/72A79155-ECCD-4ED2-9613-102F3B6F602B-223x300.jpeg" alt="" width="223" height="300" /> <strong>Naiya Holt</strong>[/caption] <strong>DEF Naiya Holt, York, Class of 2023</strong> A lightning-fast, aggressive outside defender who is mentally and physically tough. Holt is a quick-moving, gritty player who isn’t afraid to challenge players 1v1 or get ’stuck in’ for tackles. She loves having the ball at her feet. She is a player who can rapidly progress the ball forward from tight spaces or take any space that’s available in front of her. York’s leading goal scorer (nine goals) has a powerful leg from distance who has hit a few highlight reel bangers this season. She is an explosive and dynamic space-attacking defender who is an offensive threat whenever she has the ball. Selected to the VHSL Class 3 All-Region second team as a sophomore, she will play her upcoming season with the newly established VA Reign 04/05 ECNL regional league (VA). &nbsp; &nbsp;