757 Senior Spotlight – Hampton Roads Class of ’24 Ladies

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Across the region, a number of Seniors are gracing the pitch for their last few matches as high school athletes. This time of year always brings about sentimental value to parents and coaches alike, but it is an especially emotional time for those that have given their sweat, tears, and grit to their school and teammates during the last four years. This isn't the end of the road for some student athletes within the game, but for others this is a last hurrah that will be cherished yet bittersweet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":172012,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/IMG_20240430_144033_874.jpg?w=720" alt="" class="wp-image-172012"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: [player_tooltip player_id='46429' first='Lili' last='White']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='46429' first='Lili' last='White'] - Goalkeeper, Maury High School</strong> - Spotlighting as the structural foundation for Maury the last 4 years, this JMU commit is exactly what you want in a goalkeeper as a high school program. She is cool and calm with the ball at her feet, composed when high pointing long balls and crosses, and exhibits a cat's grace and reflexes when facing even the most difficult of shots. You'd be hard pressed to find a flaw in her game, especially as a distributor of the ball. Rarely does she fail to find a teammate with a pass whether on the ground or in the air, and her ability to play a long ball alone puts her above a large number of her compatriots in net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Currently White is propelling the Commodores to another successful run, with six shutouts on the season including three in her last four matches as of this writing. The Commodores are aiming for a share of the Eastern District title as well as a Top 4 seed in the Class 5B playoffs later this month. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":172013,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/05/IMG_20240430_144013_025.jpg?w=720" alt="" class="wp-image-172013"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Ciera Frick</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ciera Frick - Center Back, Grassfield High School</strong> - Every team needs a field general, and Frick lives up to the billing with her play and her command of her team. Her organization of the Grizzlies at the back is a sight to behold, and she is always heard before she's noticed by opposing players. Just as impressive is her ability to find passes forward to her attacking teammates, bolstered by her control of the ball at her feet that help her find ways out of trouble in the back. These all contribute to the Grizzlies standing shutout streak, currently at 480 minutes and counting. Frick has even been able to contribute on the offensive side of the ball by finding the net as the Grizzlies main stopper, an accomplishment in Grassfield's system of play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Penn State Harrisburg commit is leading her team to another Class 6A Region berth, and they are looking to avenge last year's letdown against their district rivals. This team has played one of the most competitive slates in the 757, and with Frick at the helm, it seems they have more than enough to have earned being discussed in the championship discussion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":172029,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/05/IMG_20240501_143751_536-crop-750x493-1714588961.jpg?w=750" alt="" class="wp-image-172029"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Kaitlyn Pineda</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kaitlyn Pineda - Center Defensive Midfield/Center Midfield, Manor Mustangs</strong> - A midfield maestro with an incredible 21 assists already in the Spring '24 season, Pineda has as much to do with the Mustangs potent offense as the attackers finding the net. She also has a knack for striking a dead ball, with three of her four goals coming from free kicks. She's an incredibly tenacious defender with a special sense for finding the next pass upfield to spring Manor's counter-attack, and offers up as a foundational team player whose character and calmness speak loudly on the field as well as off it. Pineda currently does not have a plan to continue playing at the collegiate level, but if you're in need of a silent leader who will work her hardest for the team, here is a winner ready and waiting to go.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":172016,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/05/IMG_20240430_161127_431.jpg?w=810" alt="" class="wp-image-172016"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: [player_tooltip player_id='73491' first='Isabella' last='Cobos']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='73491' first='Isabella' last='Cobos'] - Center Attacking Mid/Utility, Princess Anne Cavaliers</strong> - Find me a Virginia high school team that Cobos couldn't start for and I'll say you've got your eyes closed. Quality with both feet, pace and strength to get past defenders, and a sturdy presence when challenging for a ball make her the ultimate threat in the midfield. She also features the game intelligence and physical ability to fill a gap when necessary in a utility role. It's quite apt that she's headed to VCU in the fall as she embodies everything the Rams look for in their players. Anticipate hearing her name amongst the list of Atlantic 10 Conference award winners several times over the next few seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":172018,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/05/IMG_20240501_113915_100-crop-592x389-1714584010.jpg?w=591" alt="" class="wp-image-172018"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Makayla Kyle</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Makayla Kyle - Forward, Granby Comets</strong> - Just when you think you've caught her with the ball at her feet, the UCLA-bound striker finds a different gear and flies past you to score again. While she might not be featuring for the Bruins in the Fall, there's no denying that she could find a place at the next level should she wish to continue at a high stage of the game. Her 757 leading 23 goals have burgeoned the Comets to the top of the Eastern District and a high seed in the Class 5B playoffs, where they are sure to be among the favorites to advance to States.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":172086,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/05/IMG_20240502_122622_480.jpg?w=810" alt="" class="wp-image-172086"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Nicholas Lask , Freelance Photo</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lauren Croley - Forward, Kellam Knights -</strong> A definitive top gear of the Knights high powered offense, Croley makes the best use of both feet finding the net on a regular occurrence. The CNU commit and Beach District Player of the Year doesn't shy away from winning the ball in tight or tough spaces, displaying a physical acumen worthy of her play. With several club championships at the state and regional level on her resume, Croley is looking to finally add a high school title to that list after getting so close the last two seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":172027,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/05/IMG_20240501_142036_307-crop-600x394-1714588491.jpg?w=600" alt="" class="wp-image-172027"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Nileigha Williams</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nileigha Williams - Forward, Manor Mustangs</strong> - The catalyst for the Mustangs offense, Williams has been on the scoring end of many of the aforementioned Pineda's assists. With the ability to shoot with both feet from range and a slippery dribbling style, Delaware State is getting a college ready cog for their offense in the Fall. Williams is already in prime goal scoring form, pairing 17 tallies with 5 assists as the Mustangs make a push within VHSL Class 4A. Those goals will come in handy down the stretch as the Mustangs look to secure a high seed and take aim at the State playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->