Southeast Virginia girls high school standouts

[caption id="attachment_44175" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="wp-image-44175 size-medium" src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/05/2203AA02-CE32-4420-AA63-62A9FE618F5B-scaled-crop-1920x1261-1651524915-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> <strong>Katie Lutz</strong> <em>Photo: Nathan Jones Courtesy photo</em>[/caption] <strong>ACM Katie Lutz, Smithfield High School, Class of 2023</strong> A relentless center attacking midfield who constantly pressures opponents. Her extremely high soccer IQ and tactical understanding are a challenge for any team to adjust to. Her elite level finishing ability can change the game in an instant. She brings tenacity, s<span style="font-size: 1rem;">peed, and technical ability whenever she is on the field. Her level of play not only during games but also on the training field pushes her teammates to play at a higher level. "</span>The ultimate competitor is the best way to describe her, and she plays with such a fearlessness and sets the tone for our team," says her coach Nathan Jones. <span style="font-size: 1rem;">Named All-Tidewater team as a sophomore and plays club on the ECNL regional league (VA) Elite Legacy 05, which finished second in its division and qualified for the ECNL RL Championship - Southeast that will be played in June in North Carolina.</span> &nbsp; [caption id="attachment_44166" align="alignright" width="225"]<img class="wp-image-44166 size-medium" src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/05/1E08DA77-D405-4FC1-B9C6-32D543B64D6B-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27731" first="Emma" last="Forbes"]</strong> <em>Courtesy photo: Nathan Jones</em>[/caption]&nbsp; <strong>CB [player_tooltip player_id="27731" first="Emma" last="Forbes"], Smithfield High School, Class of 2023</strong> "She shows incredible instincts and anticipation and is gifted at stepping in and intercepting passes. Can taking away scoring opportunities before they even develop," Jones said. "Her physical play and exceptionally calm demeanor under pressure show her teammates that they can count and trust in her ability. She does not get rattled." Strong coming out of the back with speed and is very good in the open field. Can count on her play-making ability and vision when counter-attacking out of the back. Delivers solid service on set pieces. Emma holds respect from her teammates and always shows up to training ready to work. Selected to the All-Tidewater second team as a sophomore and plays club on the <span style="font-size: 1rem;">ECNL regional league (VA) Elite Legacy 05, which finished second in its division and qualified for the ECNL RL Championship - Southeast that will be played in June in North Carolina.</span> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; [caption id="attachment_44165" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="wp-image-44165 size-medium" src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/05/8197A8E8-0795-43F2-AAF9-486C71C5732F-scaled-crop-1923x1263-1651524401-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> <strong>Natalee Jones</strong> <em>Photo: Nathan Jones Courtesy photo</em>[/caption] <strong>DCM Natalee Jones, Smithfield High School, Class of 2024</strong> A stellar center defensive midfielder who does not back down from challenges and draws the most difficult assignments. <span style="font-size: 1rem;">Changes the flow of the match with her ball winning and 1 v 1 defending skills. Technical with the ball at her feet and her distribution starts the attack moving forward. Has the ability to effectively slow down and redirect attacking players. "Our team would be completely different without her. Every team needs players who are willing to put the team ahead of themselves and she does this for her teammates every game." Coach Jones said. She leads by example, trains hard, and competes even harder. Plays club for the ECNL regional league (VA) Elite Legacy 05, which finished second in its division and qualified for the ECNL RL Championship - Southeast that will be played in June in North Carolina.</span> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;