SE Virginia Girls Region 5B & 4A: Who is still alive?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With region play is in full swing, let's take a look at who is still alive with the opportunity to move on to the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region 5B</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#1 seed Maury Commodores (12-1-1) no. 11 in the 757:</strong> Maury is in familiar territory and looking to advance to the state tournament for the fourth time in six seasons. Their results in three matches versus ranked sides have had mixed results: A one goal loss to no. 4 Princess Anne, a draw with no. 13 Nansemond River, and a win over no. 17 Hickory. Maury is capable of being in any match with their outstanding junior keeper [player_tooltip player_id='46429' first='Lili' last='White'], while other key players are senior midfielder Maddie Dixon, senior Sophia Warburton, and senior Alana Cunningham. The Commodores play #5 Menchville in the semifinals in a rematch from the 2022 regional tournament that saw Maury come away winners in penalties.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":137228,"width":321,"height":242,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/05/IMG_8113-rotated.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-137228" width="321" height="242" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Maury</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#2 seed Bethel Bruins (12-2-1) not ranked:</strong> The Bruins posted the most wins in school history and doubled their total from 2022. Their best results are a win and draw versus Kecoughtan and win over Manor. Bethel will face #3 seed Nansemond River after earning a bye in the opening round. The winner advances to the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#3 seed Nansemond River Warriors (12-3-2) no. 13:</strong> The Warriors have qualified for post season play for the first time since 2018 where they advanced to the class 5 state tournament where they lost in the quarterfinals. Their three losses this season were all to ranked sides (no. 7 Great Bridge, no. 3 Grassfield, and no. 20 Western Branch). Draws versus no. 11 Maury and no. 17 Hickory have proven to be quality results. Their potent attack is paced by Joelle Hare, Brooke Jackson, and Natalie Dupree. Nansemond River defeated Granby in the opening round of regionals 4-2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#5 seed Menchville Monarchs (10-5-0) no. 20:</strong> Menchville started the season with a young line up and a few injuries to returning players and they suffered losses to Bay Rivers district teams to start out 0-4-0. Now, the Monarchs are a win away from states after finishing the regular season in great form going 9-1-0. Menchville has averaged 12 wins a year since 2017 with one trip to the class 5 state final in 2021. This years squad led by senior defender Sierra Vincent, senior forward Madisyn Strange, and senior defender Tanaya Dunn will look to go out on top with a successful post season run. Menchville took down Gloucester 2-1 to advance to the semifinals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region 4A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#1 seed Smithfield Packers (16-3-0) no. 8:</strong> Smithfield has unfinished business in 2023 after losing in the class 4 state semifinals in 2022. The Packers started the post season with a Bay Rivers district tournament championship with a win over Jamestown on a golden goal by forward Kaitlyn Worrell and a region quarterfinal win over Grafton. Regular season highlights include wins over no. 4 Princess Anne, Landstown, and no. 20 Menchville. Smithfield may not be deep, but their starting XI is solid starting with district player of the year midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='46426' first='Katie' last='Lutz'] and all-district selections Worrell, midfielder Bri Curro, defender [player_tooltip player_id='27731' first='Emma' last='Forbes'], keeper [player_tooltip player_id='27999' first='Sydney' last='Schwarz'], forward Lydia Jones, and defender Natalee Jones. Smithfield will face #4 seed Deep Creek in the semifinals with a chance to qualify for states again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#2 seed Jamestown Eagles (14-4-1) no. 9:</strong> The Eagles have become an elite class 4 school over the past five years posting 61 wins (including a shortened 2021 season), but four trips to states in that period have all ended in disappointment as they strive for an elusive state title. Jamestown played the top two teams in the 757 this season (losses to no. 1 Kellam and no. 2 First Colonial) and gained big game experience in doing so. Their other losses were to no. 15 Tabb and to no. 8 Smithfield on a golden goal in the Bay Rivers district tournament final. However, they did defeat Smithfield 1-0 and drew versus no. 10 Lafayette during the regular season. The Eagles are led by all-district selections Emily Littreal, Maddie Leach, Izzy Rudders, and Peyton Tremps. Jamestown will face #3 seed Great Bridge in the semifinals with a trip to states on the line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":138912,"width":321,"height":241,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/05/IMG_8213-1-rotated.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-138912" width="321" height="241" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Jamestown</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#3 seed Great Bridge (11-3-2) no. 7:</strong> Great Bridge's last trip to states was in 2019 and they will look for a return trip when they face Jamestown in the semifinals. The Wildcats have posted 11 wins this year and their only losses were to no. 5 Cox and no. 3 Grassfield. Quality wins over Kempsville, no. 8 Smithfield, no. 16 York, no. 13 Nansemond River, and Manor have the Wildcats on the verge of a state tournament bid. Superstar sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='57663' first='Audrey' last='Orrock'] found the back of the net 35 times this season while senior midfielder Hannah Zayicek contributed 11 goals and 14 assists. Ava Gomez is also threat in the attacking end and defenders Riley Duba, and Charmiss Tucker look to keep a clean box for keeper Lexie Miller who had a GAA of less than 1.0, with six clean sheets. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":137229,"width":321,"height":241,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/05/IMG_8156-rotated.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-137229" width="321" height="241" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Great Bridge</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#4 seed Deep Creek (11-5-1) not ranked:</strong> The Hornets started the year 7-0-1 before struggling in Southeastern district play and suffering five losses, all to ranked teams. Regional play started with a bang however with a 4-2 extra time win over Kings Fork. The dynamic duo of sisters Malia and Alani Kincaid are a dangerous threat and will need to carry Deep Creek in the attack if they want to upset Smithfield in the semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->