Spring Preview: Top VA Eastern Shore District players, teams

<strong>BOYS</strong> <strong>2A Nandua Warriors</strong> <strong>2021 Recap:</strong> 13-0-0 VHSL Class 2 state champions, it was their second state title with their first one coming in 2003. Head Coach Paul Nolz has led the Warriors to 39-5-1 record over the last three seasons. Nandua's non-conference schedule will be racking up the frequent flyer miles with seven road trips across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and one to Middlesex. Bayside, Warwick, Indian River, Deep Creek, Great Bridge, and Green Run all await the Class 2 champs. <strong>2A Arcadia Firebirds</strong> <strong>2021 Recap:</strong> Finished 6-4-0 and earned a trip to the regional tournament where they won a quarterfinal match against Nottoway before falling to Nandua in the semifinals. All their losses in 2021 were to Nandua. <strong>1A Northampton Yellowjackets</strong> <strong>2021 Recap:</strong> Compiled a record 3-5-0 and lost in the region semifinals to Mathews. New head coach Chase Baxa takes over on the Eastern Shore for the Yellowjackets. Expectations are very high for the first-year coach as he has been very impressed watching them train. "These young men have a drive to get better each training session and push not only themselves but everybody around them," he said. Returning players that will form the core of the team include center mid Kevin Maldonado, center mid/forward Diego Maldonado, forward/wing Henry Mayorg-Guerrero, and center back Julio Castillo. <strong>1A Chincoteague Ponies</strong> 2021 Recap: 0-7-0 Not participating in 2022 <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>GIRLS</strong></span> <strong>2A Nandua Warriors</strong> <strong>2021 Recap:</strong> Finished 2-3-1 and were eliminated in the region quarterfinals by King William. <strong>2A Arcadia Firebirds</strong> <strong>2021 Recap:</strong> Ended up 0-5-1 and lost in the region quarterfinals to Windsor. <strong>1A Northampton Yellowjackets</strong> <strong>2021 Recap:</strong> Made it to the Region 1A final before falling to state finalist West Point. Finished 9-4-0. The goal for Coach Ernest Bethel is for Northampton to make it to states this year after a successful 2021 season. He brings back plenty of goal scorers in senior Rocio Cruz (16 G), juniors Vashti Holmes (18 G) and Jacqueline Santos (13 G), and sophomore Ryan Jones (6 G). Four-year starter midfielder Olivia Peart and defender Mariela Montalvo are key losses that will need to be addressed. The coach's expectations are to play smart, play hard, and have fun playing the beautiful game. <strong>1A Chincoteague Ponies</strong> 2021 Recap: Did not play Not participating in 2022