RVA HS Season Outlook - Class 6 Girls

Now for the girls side of Class 6 schools in the Richmond area! As we went over in the Class 6 boys article, there has been some reclassification in Virginia High School League soccer. Last year, the Cosby Titans were crowned champions of Region 6A, with what most would consider an upset win at Kellam in the regional championship game. Kellam and James River, two of the four semifinalists from last spring, have moved to Class 5. Not to worry, there are newcomers with plenty of talent to take their spots and compete for this region.   <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/09CC2537-17A9-4D22-8F5C-57389826E8D7.jpg?w=831" alt="" class="wp-image-169934"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Deep Run HS Girls</figcaption></figure>   We will start with Deep Run. The Wildcats dominated their regional playoffs last year, scoring 15 goals and conceding only 1 in those three games. They won the Region 5C title, and made it all the way to the state title game. This 2024 version of Deep Run looks quite different on paper, though. Coach Chapman has had to replace seven starters, including some seniors who were originally expected to return, but left early for their respective D1 commitments.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-medium"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/D97AD8A2-EB68-454E-8F2D-B00E37A295D0.jpg?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-169941"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='164462' first='Mackenzie' last='Vanags']</figcaption></figure>   Gianna Chrapek, for example, was the region 5C POY, an all-state selection, all-met Richmond POY, and one of the two most impressive players I watched during the HS season in 2023 (shoutout Olivia Woodson). She, among others, would need to be replaced, and with younger options.   Coach Chapman, now in his 10th year as HC for Deep Run, keeps his methodology very simple, "Improve every week in training, grow to care for and love your teammates, and... take the season one game at a time."   Senior captains Lucy Colombell, Olivia Holtkamp, and Cara Prior will work to echo that message. There are two other players the Wildcats will not need to replace. [player_tooltip player_id='27910' first='Monique' last='R McEnhimer'] earned all-region and all-met honors last season as a freshman. She is an electric forward that scored 19 goals in '23. McEnhimer is very difficult to stay in front of for most defenders and to track when she is off the ball. The other is also a sophomore, [player_tooltip player_id='164462' first='Mackenzie' last='Vanags']. Mackenzie is very composed on the ball and has great vision and passing skills, like a modern fullback should. Her skillset could translate to almost any position on the field. Tough to call the Wildcats the favorite in the area for class 6 after losing so many starters, but they have started the season 4-1, with their only loss to First Colonial, a class 5 Virginia Beach powerhouse.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/2AB830B5-1566-4A2A-B711-E7934B9A7A5A.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-169942"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Josh Muir, <a href="https://joshmuirphotography.com/f1036857948" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Josh Muir Photography</a> - Cosby Girls</figcaption></figure>   The Cosby team definitely raised their hand when I suggested anyone else as the top squad in Class 6 in this area. Unlike Deep Run, the Titans were already in this region last year. They went through the regular season and regional playoffs undefeated, with a tie against James River as their only blemish. The 2023 region 6A champs lost in the state quarterfinals to a very talented Battlefield squad. The Titans even beat that Deep Run team 2-1 last May! Also unlike Deep Run, Cosby only lost two starters from last season's team. Second year HC, and '23 region COY, Madisen May, will look to lean on her senior class for leadership, maturity, and experience.   "We were not satisfied with out season last year," said May. "Winning a regional championship was fun, but our players are hungry for more."   Sasha Manheim returns for the Titans in the midfield. Manheim earned a first team all-state selection as a junior in '23. She is a very tough defender that makes great tackles, and is also very dangerous as a set-piece taker for Cosby. [player_tooltip player_id='140779' first='Kendall' last='Funk'] will look to continue her impressive growth. She earned second team all-region last season as a sophomore and scored 18 goals. Funk is a relentless forward, probably why she has been dubbed the "energizer bunny" on this Titan squad.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-medium"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/2024-Cosby-Media-Day-2-4682-Edit.jpg?w=240" alt="" class="wp-image-170018"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Josh Muir, <a href="https://joshmuirphotography.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Josh Muir Photography</a> - Senior Captains Molly Muir, Sasha Manheim, and Catherine Muir</figcaption></figure>   Recent Illinois commit, [player_tooltip player_id='140781' first='Corinne' last='Jenkins'], will also look to improve on her sophomore season, in which she earned second team all-state honors. CJ's vision and passing will be key for the Titans as they get forward. The back line will be led by Catherine and Molly Muir. The Muir twins bring speed and tenacity to this team that is noticeable right away. They do not shy away from tackles. Abigail Holmes will join them as a center back. Often the unsung hero of the teams she plays on, Holmes almost always seems to be in the right place at the right time to very calmly make a goal-saving or game-saving tackle. The Titans have hit a few bumps in the road early this season, with losses to James River and Midlothian, but at 5-2, look to be righting the ship. Mark your calendars, Cosby will travel to Deep Run on April 12 for what should be one of the biggest games this regular season in RVA. See you there.   Glen Allen also made the jump to Class 6 this season. The Jaguars finished 10-5-2 last spring. They made the region 5C semifinals, eventually losing to Deep Run, one game short of a state tournament berth. Glen Allen scored the lone goal against Deep Run in those regional playoffs. The Jaguars have several experienced players that should help with the switch to class 6. Junior attacker Emma Sicat scored 12 goals last season and earned a first team all-region selection. Senior and Georgia State commit, [player_tooltip player_id='46388' first='Mackenzie' last='Fitzgerald'], will look to lead these Jaguars to another deep playoff run. The last time the Jaguars made the state tournament was two years ago, when Mackenzie's sister, Kiley, was a senior and all-met POY. Senior defender, Olivia Ewing, is also committed to play at the next level, at Louisiana Tech. Glen Allen has started the season 4-2, with two matchups against Deep Run coming later in the season.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/Image_f418e9.png?w=941" alt="" class="wp-image-169945" style="width:674px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='110268' first='Kylie' last='Osborne'] and Allie Davis</figcaption></figure>   Manchester struggled a bit last season, but took care of the teams they were supposed to, leading to a 7-11 overall record. The Lancers earned a playoff victory in the first round of the 6A regional playoffs before losing to the eventual regional champs - Cosby. Junior Allie Davis will be taking on a larger role this season for Manchester and will look to use her experience and passing skill in the midfield to get the Lancers moving forward. [player_tooltip player_id='110268' first='Kylie' last='Osborne'], a freshman on this Lancers roster, will likely be making an impact right away. Osborne is part of the 2009 Richmond United team that made the run to the ECNL Finals last season. She is an impressive all-around player on both ends of the field, using her pace to chase down would-be attackers and win the ball back for her squad. The Lancers have started the season 3-2-1, putting them right in the middle of the playoff race for the region. A home playoff game would be huge for the Lancers in round 1.   Meadowbrook is also a new school to Class 6. They finished 3-15 last season and lost in the first round of the Region 5C playoffs to Clover Hill. The Monarchs seem to have forgotten all about that, as they have started this season 4-1. Long road ahead, but Meadowbrook could position itself to host a playoff game.   Thomas Dale finished last season with a winning record, at 9-7. They earned a bye in the first round of the region 6A playoffs and lost to James River in the quarterfinals, 7-0. This season has been tough sledding for the Knights so far, as they remain winless. With some more favorable games coming up on their schedule, they will look to put a win streak together and turn this around to qualify for playoffs.   Highland Springs ended 3-11 last Spring, as a class 5 school, and lost in the first round of the playoffs. They have started the season 1-4 and will need to stack some wins as the season moves on in order to make the region tournament.

Now for the girls side of Class 6 schools in the Richmond area! As we went over in the Class 6 boys article, there has been some reclassification in Virginia High School League soccer. Last year, the Cosby Titans were crowned champions of Region 6A, with what most would consider an upset win at Kellam in the regional championship game. Kellam and James River, two of the four semifinalists from last spring, have moved to Class 5. Not to worry, there are newcomers with plenty of talent to take their spots and compete for this region.