SE Virginia Girls Region 6A East and 5A: Who will head to states?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two teams from each region qualify for the VHSL state tournament (4 regions/8 teams) and here are the most likely teams to claim a spot from regions 6A (East) and 5A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region 6A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#1 East seed Kellam Knights (15-0-0):</strong> Kellam is unanimously ranked no. 1 in Virginia as well as in the top 10 nationally in various polls. The Knights have qualified for states in three of the past five years but have not won that elusive state title. In 2022 they advanced to the class 6 final before falling 1-0 to Yorktown. Kellam is an elite program with a combined record of 63-4-2 over the past four campaigns. They have an unprecedented 13 clean sheets this season and have only conceded two goals (one each to no. 2 ranked First Colonial and VISAA division one finalist Norfolk Academy). Nine of their 15 wins have been over top 20 ranked teams in the 757. Kellam uses a two keeper system with Anna Wise and Kylie Cass who are both quality and along with defenders [player_tooltip player_id='46445' first='Lilly' last='Turner'], Madison Hood, Elle Ochave make Kellam one of the best defensive teams I have ever seen. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='124294' first='Dylan' last='McEntarfer'] is super versatile and can play anywhere on the pitch and moves around from game to game including in game adjustments. Attackers are plentiful led by forward Jashyra Johnson, [player_tooltip player_id='46428' first='Ava' last='Chuderewicz'], Allysa Chuderewicz, Abbie Smith, Lauren Crowley, and Taylor Garofalo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":138695,"width":321,"height":240,"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_8445-rotated.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-138695" width="321" height="240" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Kellam</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#2 East seed Grassfield Grizzlies (12-2-2):</strong> Grassfield is ranked no. 3 in the 757 but bowed out of the regional tournament the past five years without a trip to the region final or a trip to states. This could be their year though as they have played a demanding non district schedule and only have two losses (to no. 1 Kellam and no. 2 First Colonial). The Grizzlies enter the tournament on a 10-0-1 roll and have only conceded two goals in those 11 matches. Senior Ava Roberts (10G), [player_tooltip player_id='46444' first='Katie' last='Dowd'] (14G), and Jillian Kemp (10G) lead a potent attack that has plenty of options in the final third. Keeper Ava Puskas has posted 10 clean sheets with the help of senior defenders Ciera Frick and Katie Anderson.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":138686,"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_7868-1-rotated.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-138686" width="321" height="241" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Grassfield</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#3 East seed Western Branch Bruins (10-4-1):</strong> The Bruins have not won a tournament game in over six years but this should be the year they do and advance to at least the quarterfinals. If they win their opening match against #6 seed Landstown a rematch with Grassfield awaits (the Grizzlies won the earlier match 1-0). The Bruins are in great form going 7-0-1 down the stretch which includes six clean sheets and wins over ranked sides no. 17 Hickory, no. 13 Nansemond River and a draw versus no. 7 Great Bridge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region 5A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#1 seed First Colonial Patriots (13-1-0):</strong> The Patriots are the definition of sustained super performance with a combined record of 65-8-3 from 2017 to present. They have made the state tournament five straight years including state championships in 2018 and 2021 but their bid for a third title came up a goal short versus Briar Woods in the 2022 final. Their only setback this season was a loss to no. 1 ranked Kellam in a game that the Patriots were down several starters. Not many squads in Virginia can claim five players with 10 goals but the Patriots have just than in [player_tooltip player_id='27998' first='Sydney' last='Miller'] (18G), Sklar Miller (12G), Ava Bourne (11G), Kylie White (11G), and, Joryn Wold (10G). Sophomore Emerson Kane is the starting keeper and her star defenders Maddie Kainer and Cami Minson can shut down anyone. Other key players are Hayley Rosenfield, Macie Mugler, Jo Hosang, and Keaveny Dull.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":138689,"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_8226-1-rotated.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-138689" width="321" height="241" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">First Colonial</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#2 seed Princess Anne Cavaliers (13-3-0):</strong> The Cavaliers ended the regular season ranked no. 4 in the 757 which is the highest they have been since I have been ranking teams since 2014. Princess Ann has made the regional tournament four of the past five years and have come up a game short twice with a trip to states on the line. This could be the year however, as they have posted wins over ranked squads no. 12 Western Branch, no. 18 Cape Henry, no. 11 Maury, no. 5 Cox, and no. 14 Ocean Lakes. The Cavaliers had a historic win mid-season when they defeated Cox for the first time in over a decade and will probably face Cox again in the region semifinals with a trip to states on the line. Starting in the back is keeper Ella Schofield who posted eight shutouts along with defenders Keely Ferguson, Riley Carthwright, Olivia Dietz, and Olivia Braunbeck. Their three forward system can score in bunches as Princess Anne put up 70 goals this season, led by Amy Woodworth (17G), [player_tooltip player_id='58039' first='Nina' last='Murthy'] (11G), and Izzy Cobos (10G). The midfield constists of Audren Barclay, Amelia Manke and Caroline White.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":138687,"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_8432-rotated.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-138687" width="321" height="241" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Princess Anne</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#3 seed Cox Falcons (11-3-2):</strong> The Falcons are no stranger to the post season and look for a return to states for the third time in five seasons. Like Kellam and First Colonial, Cox is a top-notch program putting up 58 wins over a five year period. Cox's losses this season are to no. 4 Princess Anne, no. 2 First Colonial, and no. 1 Kellam. Against First Colonial they held a second half lead before falling in extra time in what was the best girls game I have seen this year. Even with three losses and two draws, Cox ended the season ranked no. 5 in the 757. Cox can defend with the best teams in the state behind the play of keeper Kate Hobbs and midfielders / defenders Delaney Hood, [player_tooltip player_id='46105' first='Aniyah' last='Fraser'], Kirklyn Wilson, Sydney Hardwood, Page O'Connell, and sweeper [player_tooltip player_id='46427' first='Amanda' last='Frank'] who is a great 1 v 1 defender. In the attacking end, Ireland Rich, Emily Tromly, [player_tooltip player_id='110457' first='Ava' last='Rassool'], and Makiah Correa make up a solid threat in the final third.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":138688,"width":321,"height":400,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/05/61B1AFDB-826C-4A28-9E7C-EE70ACF6798D-1.jpeg?w=822" alt="" class="wp-image-138688" width="321" height="400" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cox</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->