Spring Preview: Virginia Girls Eastern District

<strong>5B Maury Commodores</strong> <strong>2021 Recap:</strong> Lost to eventual Class 5 state champion First Colonial in the region quarterfinals and finished 5-2-0 in limited action. Senior midfielder and Mary Washington commit Cassidy Shaw, who coach Mallary Belair calls a "showstopper," will lead Eastern district favorite Maury. Belair also is high on sophomore keeper Lili White and calls her "potentially the best in the district." Other returning players include versatile junior Sophia Warburton, junior midfielders Maddie Dixon and Alana Cunningham, and senior defender Bella Sadr. Sophomore newcomers to keep an eye on are Nora Schuurman and Xiomari Green. Maury should qualify for region play as they move from Region 5A to 5B but postseason play will have a different feel with Peninsula District teams involved. After qualifying for the state tournament in 2017 and 2018, Belair has put together a solid schedule to prep for the tournaments. Matches against Hickory, Nansemond River, Poquoson, Grassfield, and Princess Anne await. <strong>5B Granby Comets</strong> <strong>2021 Recap:</strong> Finished 6-2-0 after a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Cox in the region quarterfinals. Coach Cristian Irigoyen is in rebuilding mode after losing four starters, including leading scorer Leilanis Irigoyen and top defender Elora Grohowskei. The Comets do return junior mid/forward Madison Booker (10 G) who is a natural scorer and senior midfielder Nival Baxendale (4 G) who is a natural leader with great ball control and vision. A non-district slate of Oscar Smith, Poquoson, Woodside, and Indian River should give the Comets a good shot at qualifying for postseason action as they move Region 5A to 5B. <strong style="font-size: 1rem;">5B Norview Pilots</strong> <strong>2021 Recap:</strong> Finished the season 0-6-0 Have not qualified for the region tournament since the new format started in 2018. Moving from Region 5A to 5B does not make it any easier for the Pilots. <strong>4A Manor Mustangs</strong> <strong>2021 Recap:</strong> Ended a shortened season at 2-4-0 but made the regional tournament for the third straight season. Coach Gerald Andrews has a young team that lacks experience, but he expects his squad to finish in the top three of the Eastern District. Senior keeper Raiynah Smith will provide the leadership on the pitch and direct the defense in front of her led by junior McKaya Robinson. The Mustangs also have two strong sophomore midfielders, Nileigha Williams and Kaitlyn Pineda. <strong>4A Churchland</strong> <strong>2021 Recap:</strong> Finished the season 2-3-0 in the depleted Eastern district and did not qualify for the regional tournament. <strong>3A Lake Taylor Titans</strong> <strong>2021 Recap:</strong> Did not participate. <strong>3A I. C. Norcom Greyhounds</strong> <strong>2021 Recap:</strong> Did not participate. <strong>3A Booker T. Washington Bookers</strong> <strong>2021 Recap:</strong> Did not participate.