Skylar Miller, First Colonial, senior midfielder

• The Virginia High School League’s Class 5 Player of the Year and Class 5 Region A Player of the Year
• Scored 17 goals and tallied 14 assists and 48 points
• Signed with Tennessee
• Read more: First Colonial’s Miller twins become 1st to share honor

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Sydney Miller, First Colonial, senior forward

• Class 5 first team and Class 5 Region A first team
• Scored 17 goals and led First Colonial with 24 assists and 58 points
• Signed with Tennessee
• Read more: First Colonial’s Miller twins become 1st to share honor

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First-team All-Tidewater

Ava Bourne, First Colonial, junior forward

• Led First Colonial in scoring with 19 goals and was third in points with 46
• Class 5 Region A first team and Class 5 second team

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Alyssa Chuderewicz, Kellam, senior midfielder

• Finished with 11 goals for the Class 5 state champion Knights
• Class 5 Region A first team and Class 5 first team
• Signed with UNC Wilmington

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Maria Delyannis, Norfolk Academy, sophomore forward

• Led the Tidewater Conference in scoring with 25 goals while also tallying 22 assists
• Helped Norfolk Academy to VISAA Division I state semifinals
• First-team All-Tidewater Conference
• Sixth in career scoring for Norfolk Academy after only her sophomore season

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Eva Fields, Lafayette, senior goalie

• Helped lead a dominant Lafayette team to an undefeated regular season
• Anchor of a defense that allowed no goals until the state semifinals
• Tallied 29 saves in the season

___

Emma Hughes, Kecoughtan, senior defender

• Scored 26 goals and had 12 assists
• Peninsula District Player of the Year

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Maddie Kainer, First Colonial, senior defender

• Key part of a Patriots defense that allowed six goals all year
• Class 5 Region A first team and Class 5 first team
• Finished with three goals and three assists

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Lexi King, Lafayette, senior forward

• Led the Rams in scoring with 27 goals while adding 11 assists
• Class 3 first team and Class 3 Region A first team
• All-Bay Rivers District first team

___

Makayla Kyle, Granby, senior forward

• Scored 38 goals and recorded four assists
• Class 5 Region B Player of the Year and first-team All-Eastern District

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Dylan McEntarfer, Kellam, junior midfielder

• Finished with nine goals and seven assists for state championship winners
• Class 5 Region A first team and Class 5 first team
• Committed to Old Dominion

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Audrey Orrock, Great Bridge, junior forward

• Led the Wildcats with 36 goals
• Class 5 Region A first team
• Committed to James Madison

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Reagan Thompson, Kellam, sophomore forward/defender

• Lead state champion Knights in scoring with 14 goals
• Class 5 Region A first team and Class 5 first team

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Belma Tihic, Bethel, junior forward

• Netted 51 goals this season to lead the 757 in scoring and was among the top three in the state
• First-team All-Peninsula District

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Taylor Walker, Lafayette, junior forward

• Second in scoring for Lafayette with 26 goals and also had 22 assists
• Class 3 Region A Player of the Year and first-team All-Class 3
• First-team All-Bay Rivers District

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Anna Wise, Kellam, senior goalie

• Anchored a state champion defense that allowed four goals all season
• Recorded 16 shutouts and gave up just one goal in 19 games
• Class 5 Region A first team and Class 5 first team

___

Second team

• Isabella Cobos, Princess Anne, senior forward
• Brianna Curro, Smithfield, senior midfielder/forward
• Katie Dowd, Grassfield, senior midfielder
• Rowan Dull, First Colonial, freshman midfielder/defender
• Keaveny Dull, First Colonial, senior midfielder/defender
• Addy Hennessy, Norfolk Academy, senior forward
• Maddie Leach, Jamestown, sophomore forward
• Kelleigh Longacher, Norfolk Collegiate, senior defender
• Kira Moore, Lafayette, junior defender
• Abby Ostasiewski, Hickory, senior defender
• Brooke Owens, Kellam, junior defender
• Ceci Riggs, Lafayette, junior midfielder
• Avery Spell, Kellam, senior defender
• Alyssa Ware, Menchville, junior midfielder
• Mia Washburn, Cape Henry, freshman forward
• Anna Wiggins, Ocean Lakes, sophomore midfielder

Michael Sauls, 757-803-5774, michael.sauls@virginiamedia.com

Editor’s note

Jamestown’s Maddie Leach was a second-team All-Tidewater Girls soccer selection. She was inadvertently left off the list of second-team selections last week.

This season, the identical twins — both headed to play collegiately at Tennessee — each scored 17 goals and had an equal share in guiding First Colonial back to the Class 5 state final.

It was equally difficult to choose one over the other, with both receiving nominations from opposing coaches in the area. So for the first time in the award’s 30-year history, the All-Tidewater Girls Soccer Player of the Year honor is shared by the Miller twins.

“I’m super-excited and just thankful to be the All-Tidewater Player of the Year,” Sydney Miller said. “It’s kind of satisfying knowing that all the hard work finally is paying off, and also being Co-Player of the Year I feel like is just icing on top of the cake.”

Postseason awards have often gone to one twin or the other, but they’ll end their senior years with an award they can share.

“It’s cool because we work hard together, we do everything together,” Skylar Miller said. “I feel like me just getting something or her just getting something kind of stings a little bit because (of) knowing that the other one didn’t get it when we both worked just as hard for that. So us both getting something just is super-special because we both work extremely hard together.”

The sisters have racked up several accolades in their high school careers. Skylar was recently named the Class 5 Player of the Year, earned her fourth all-state first-team appearance and was selected the Class 5 Region A Player of the Year. Sydney was the Region Player of the Year last year and earned her third all-state first-team honor and fourth all-region first-team honor this year. Both have been named to the All-Tidewater first team during all four years of high school.

First Colonial head coach Joe Tucei’s reaction to the Miller twins being recognized as Co-Players of the Year was short and to the point.

“It’s about time,” he said.

Sydney and Skylar may not have been lights-out scorers this year — though they both had their fair share of goals — but their impact in games was evident.

Both scored 17 goals apiece this season while also keeping their teammates involved in the offense. Sydney led the Patriots with 24 assists and Skylar was right behind her with 14. Together, the twins accounted for 52% of First Colonial’s assists, 37% of its points and 32% of its total scoring.

Tucei felt this year the twins’ biggest improvement was ball distribution while also stepping up into their roles in the locker room and becoming “great” captains.

“Teams would key on them and then they were able to distribute the ball,” Tucei said. “Then, of course, we had players that were able to, obviously, put the ball in the back of the net. They’re versatile, they’re savvy, their soccer IQ is way up there. If they needed to drop in and defend, they would defend. If they needed to go play the flank, they would play the flank. Just the versatility of both of them. Also this year, unlike the rest, they really did well on distributing the ball to other players, getting everybody else involved. That makes a lot of difference because it keeps everybody happy.”

The Miller twins helped get First Colonial back to the Class 5 state title game this year, the third time in their high school career. Although the Patriots lost to Kellam in penalty kicks, Skylar and Sydney said it doesn’t take away from a year that saw First Colonial go 18-1-1 and win a region championship.

“Obviously, I wish we would have won the championship, but I couldn’t have asked for a better team and just a better year,” Sydney Miller said. “It was so fun. I’m so proud of our whole team because we did accomplish a lot.”

First Colonial has had two other players named All-Tidewater Player of the Year, the last being Karleigh Minson in 2021 and 2022. The Miller sisters have solidified themselves as two of the best to come out of the Patriots’ program and hope they leave behind a legacy of hard work and fierce competitiveness.

“The legacy that we’re leaving at FC is huge to me,” Skylar Miller said. “We’re getting a lot of attention, especially from the younger girls soccer players who are DM-ing me on Instagram after games asking for pictures. It’s super-sweet and wholesome knowing that because I used to be that little girl that liked to look up to other people. So being able to be someone like that gives me even more motivation because I know like these younger girls are watching me.”

While this chapter is coming to an end, Skylar’s and Sydney’s soccer careers are just getting started. This fall, the twins will be swapping their Patriot blue for Volunteers orange when they begin playing Division I soccer in the SEC at Tennessee.

“They’re outstanding players,” Tucei said. “I’m gonna miss them (and) the team will miss them.”

Michael Sauls, (757) 803-5774, michael.sauls@virginiamedia.com

All-Tidewater Girls Soccer Players of the Year

2024: Skylar Miller and Sydney Miller, First Colonial

2023: JaShyra Johnson, Kellam

2022: Karleigh Minson, First Colonial

2021: Karleigh Minson, First Colonial

2020: Season canceled (pandemic)

2019: Kaylee Kozlowski, Kellam

2018: Idelys Vazquez, First Colonial

2017: Star White, Maury

2016: Star White, Maury

2015: Darby Moore, Maury

2014: Alani Johnson, Cape Henry

2013: Alani Johnson, Cape Henry

2012: Brittany Krause, Cox

2011: Jessie Klamut, Cox

2010: Jessie Klamut, Cox

2009: Emory Camper, Cox

2008: Brittany Michels, Kellam

2007: Kristen Carden, Cox

2006: Liza Woodward, Cox

2005: Chichi Nweke, Princess Anne

2004: Meredyth Gehrig, Cox

2003: Kristen Furlough, Kellam

2002: Amanda Swiader, Cox

2001: Amanda Swiader, Cox

2000: Mindy Nixon, Princess Anne

1999: Sally Harrison, Kempsville

1998: Amy Caddies, Princess Anne

1997: Lauren Rafal, Kempsville

1996: Angela Hucles, Norfolk Academy

1995: Angela Hucles, Norfolk Academy

1994: Angela Hucles, Norfolk Academy

1993: Amy Rosenbaum, First Colonial

Sam Braidwood, Cox senior goalie

• Penalty kick heroics in state semifinal and final delivered Cox its second title in three years
• Anchor of Cox defense that allowed 12 goals all year
• Class 5 Region A first team and Class 5 first team
• Signed to play football as a place-kicker for William & Mary
• Read more: Cox’s Sam Braidwood becomes first goalkeeper to win award

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First-team All-Tidewater

Dax Booth, Cox senior forward

• Led Cox’s attack with 19 goals
• Scored three penalty kicks between state semifinal and final to help win the championship
• Class 5 Region A first team and Class 5 first team

___

Ryan Buckon, First Colonial senior forward

• Scored 10 goals and tallied five assists in limited games due to injury
• Class 5 Region A first team and Class 5 second team

___

Max Cooper, Jamestown junior forward

• Scored 26 goals and added nine assists
• Class 4 first team and Class 4 Region A first team
• Bay Rivers District Player of the Year

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Carson Danner, Great Bridge senior midfielder

• Led 20-1 Wildcats in scoring with 22 goals and in assists with 21
• Class 5 Region A Player of the Year and Class 5 first team
• Signed with Radford

___

Jair Farmer, First Colonial senior defender

• Class 5 first team
• Four-year starter and team captain
• Scored four goals and added two assists

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Josh Haggerty, Cox senior midfielder

• Class 5 Region A first team and Class 5 first team
• Scored three penalty-kick goals between a state semifinal and the final to help win the Falcons win the championship

___

JaShaun Johnson, Kellam sophomore defender

• Class 5 Region A first team
• Helped Kellam tally seven clean sheets

___

Atticus Kamara, Lafayette senior defender

• Key defensive piece of state-championship-winning Rams team
• All-Bay Rivers District first team
• Class 3 Region A first team and Class 3 first team

___

Maciej Majcherczyk, Princess Anne junior defender

• Class 5 Region A first team and Class 5 second team
• Led Princess Anne with 12 goals and also tallied four assists

___

Jack Ottley, Great Bridge sophomore forward

• Scored 18 goals and added 13 assists
• Class 5 Region A first team and Class 5 first team

___

Nico Panayiotou, Great Bridge junior midfielder

• Scored 10 goals and tallied 12 assists
• Class 5 Region A first team and Class 5 first team

___

Christian Robertson, Menchville junior forward

• Scored 24 goals and added 11 assists
• Class 5 Region B Player of the Year and Class 5 first team

___

Kishin Togashi, Princess Anne junior midfielder

• Class 5 Region A first team and Class 5 second team
• Scored eight goals and tallied eight assists

___

Ryan Walsh, Landstown junior forward

• Scored 10 goals and tallied 12 assists
• Class 6 Region A first team and Class 6 first team

___

Kamar Wilson, Landstown senior forward

• Contributed to 11 clean sheets for Landstown and added five goals and five assists
• Class 6 Region A first team and Class 6 first team
• Has signed with Virginia

___

Second team

• Williams Castro-Garcia, Norview sophomore defender
• Kade Ceraul, Woodside junior defender
• Ethan Chenoweth, Warwick senior goalie
• Sam Forrester, Jamestown senior midfielder
• Luke Gray, Warhill senior defender
• Brock Johnson, Granby senior forward
• Bryce Jones, First Colonial senior forward/midfielder
• Tristan Klompenhouwer, Menchville senior midfielder
• Cameron Lambert, Kempsville senior forward/midfielder
• Diddier Martinez, Granby junior forward
• Jace McSwain, Landstown senior forward
• Andy Muepu, Smithfield junior forward
• Canon Robins, Ocean Lakes senior defender
• Carter Whalen, Cox junior defender
• Kohlby Wilson, Gloucester, senior forward
• Gabe Zarate, Cox senior forward

Michael Sauls, 757-803-5774, michael.sauls@virginiamedia.com

Senior Sam Braidwood, fresh off a state title with Cox High, said he was “stoked” to learn he’d been selected.

“This is stuff you dream of,” Braidwood said. “I played really, really well in, like, a bunch of big games this year, and I felt like I definitely could have won. But being a goalkeeper at the end of the day, we don’t usually get the recognition we deserve, so I wasn’t expecting anything. I knew I was going to be on one of the All-Tidewater teams. But Tidewater Player of the Year is a shock. It’s awesome.”

Braidwood is the 12th player from Cox to be named the All-Tidewater Boys Soccer Player of the Year and the first since Mikey Farmer in 2022. The Falcons, winners of the Class 5 state championship, had four other players make the All-Tidewater teams in Dax Booth, Josh Haggerty, Gabe Zarate and Carter Whalen.

“Being put in a category with all these great players that I’ve idolized for years is awesome,” Braidwood said. “But I think I want people to remember our team more than (they) remember me being All-Tidewater Player of the Year. Like, yeah, I was All-Tidewater Player of the Year because I had Carter Whalen in front of me, because I had Josh Haggerty, because I had Dax Booth, because I had Gabe Zarate. I don’t want people to remember the 2024 Tidewater Player of the Year — I want them to remember the 2024 state champs.”

Braidwood was a crucial piece of the puzzle that helped Cox bring home its second state championship in the past three years.

Braidwood helped Cox limit its opponents to just 12 goals this year, eight in the regular season and four in the postseason. He also shined in the Class 5 state tournament, saving four penalty kicks in the semifinal and final to help give the Falcons their championship.

Cox head coach Santo Ripa said the success Braidwood had against top-tier competition all year shows just how crucial he was to the Falcons’ success.

“The Beach District is hard enough as it is — with the adjustments to the region, it makes it even harder,” Ripa said. “… He’s being tested on all different levels of the game and multiple different occasions, and because of how strong our schedule is, it’s almost like proof to show that he’s quality.”

Braidwood also was named to the Class 5 Region A first team and Class 5 first team in the days since winning the state title in June. Ripa said his mentality and aerial presence made Braidwood stand out amongst other goalies and players.

“He stopped countless long throw-ins, countless corner kicks and free kicks,” Ripa said. “He stopped any long ball in the box. He was an aerial threat, and that, to me, was so strong. And then when he is tested on the line, he makes some point-blank saves, too. So for me, it really is that he’s got a mental thing going for him and he’s got this aerial presence that is so, so powerful.”

Ripa and Braidwood said they couldn’t have predicted Braidwood’s success when he arrived at Cox. But both knew he had potential.

“I had no idea I’d be Tidewater Player of the Year, but as a kid you always think about that stuff,” Braidwood said. “I knew I was one of the best goalkeepers in the area, and I knew I could do it. I can’t thank Ripa enough and (former Cox head coach Eric Blackmore) enough.”

Meet the 2024 All-Tidewater Boys Soccer teams

Barring any future comebacks, Braidwood’s soccer journey ends with this honor. This fall, he will begin his freshman year at William & Mary, where he’s joining head coach Mike London’s football team as a kicker.

Braidwood said he received some interest to play soccer collegiately, but ultimately the toll of all the soccer he was playing outside of his time with Cox had “drained” him. He said he’s “unbelievingly excited” to start a new journey and kick for the Tribe.

“As much as I love soccer, I don’t think I’ve even cracked the surface of what I can be as a football player. Like I’ve been playing soccer 95% of the time and football 5% of the time. I cannot wait until I get up there and all I do is football. I’ve only been playing football two years, and the whole time I’ve been playing soccer and then playing football on the side. And I just can’t wait to play football all the time now.”

Michael Sauls, (757) 803-5774, michael.sauls@virginiamedia.com

All-Tidewater Boys Soccer Players of the Year

2024: Sam Braidwood, Cox

2023: Hamilton Howes, Kellam

2022: Mikey Farmer, Cox

2021: Owen Ruddy, First Colonial

2020: Season canceled (pandemic)

2019: Clay Obara, Cox

2018: Clay Obara, Cox

2017: Jared Greene, Kellam

2016: Jaylen Thompson, First Colonial

2015: Yohan DePicker, Ocean Lakes

2014: Peter Pearson, Cape Henry

2013: Peter Pearson, Cape Henry

2012: Brian Davidson, First Colonial

2011: Eric Bird, Cox

2010: Ryan Oakes, Cox

2009: Jordan Cyrus, Norfolk Academy

2008: Caleb Thomas, Cox

2007: T.J. Cyrus, Norfolk Academy

2006: T.J. Cyrus, Norfolk Academy

2005: Jeremy Harris, Cox

2004: Marcus Reed, Hickory

2003: Ian Holder, Norfolk Academy

2002: Charles Nweke, Cox

2001: Kyle Hartley, Kempsville

2000: Travis Clarke, Cox

1999: Chris Burgess, Kempsville

1998: Rob Wright, First Colonial

1997: Adam Schultz, Kempsville

1996: Adam Schultz, Kempsville

1995: Danny McVey, Tallwood

1994: Matt Whalen, Cox

1993: Bucky Silva, Cox

A total of 12 players from Hampton Roads were named to the first and second all-state teams, 11 of which were from Kellam and First Colonial.

Girls Soccer Class 5 All-State Teams

Player of the Year: Skylar Miller, First Colonial

Coach of the Year: Joe Tucei, First Colonial

First Team

Forwards: Sydney Miller, First Colonial; Megan Dwyer, Midlothian; Reagan Thompson, Kellam; Jayden Fisher, Independence; Riley Nicholson, Independence.

Midfielders: Skylar Miller, First Colonial; Lilli Lubic, Independence; Alyssa Chuderwicz, Kellam; Dylan McEntarfer, Kellam; Ella Searcy, Midlothian.

Defenders: Avery Spell, Kellam; Maddie Kainer, First Colonial; Bailey Reid, Midlothian; Maya Engel, Independence; Rowan Dull, First Colonial.

Goalie: Anna Wise, Kellam.

Second Team

Forward: Krista Tehan, Briar Woods; Natalie Wolfe, Albemarle; Ava Bourne, First Colonial; Layla Royster, Midlothian; Katie Britton, Godwin.

Midfielders: Devon Higginbottom, Albemarle; Keaveny Dull, First Colonial; Aleksia Christensen, Briar Woods; Emily Marlovits, Independence; Haley Baskerville, Midlothian.

Defenders: Sarah Tinder, Albemarle; Tatum Ingram, James River; Hannah Tittermayr, Freeman; Nora Schurrman, Maury; Jayla Caldwell, Riverside.

Goalie: Ella Peterson, Godwin.

A total of 18 players from Hampton Roads were named to the first and second all-state teams.

Boys Soccer Class 5 All-State Teams

Player of the Year: DT Megliola, Riverside

Coach of the Year: Scott Wright, Great Bridge

First Team

Forwards: DT Megliola, Riverside; Dax Booth, Cox; Jack Ottley, Great Bridge; Carter Neuman, Mills Godwin; Christian Robertson, Menchville.

Midfielders: Josh Haggerty, Cox; Carson Danner, Great Bridge; Misha Paul, Independence; Johnny Balkey, Riverside; Niko Panayiotou, Great Bridge.

Defenders: Jack Dofflemyer, Albemarle; Carter Whalen, Cox; Owen Ostrum, Independence; Devin Kriebel, Albemarle; Kade Ceraul, Woodside.

Goalie: Sam Braidwood, Cox.

Second Team

Forwards: Andres Lopez, Riverside; Ryan Buckon, First Colonial; David Garcia, Independence; Nick Conboy, Nansemond River; Brock Johnson, Granby.

Midfielders: Adam Coppi, Albemarle; Kishin Togashi, Princess Anne; Tristan Klompenhouwer, Menchville; Myles Merce, Independence; Matthew Gavin, Mills Godwin.

Defenders: Talon Serafim, Mills Godwin; Maciej Majcherczyk, Princess Anne; Canon Robins, Ocean Lakes; Niles Ocasio, Menchville; Williams Castro-Garcia, Norview.

Goalie: Cameron Farrell, Riverside.

Michael Sauls, (757) 803-5774, michael.sauls@virginiamedia.com

This time around, he drilled it.

Booth’s goal gave Cox a 5-3 advantage in PKs and secured the Falcons’ Class 5 state championship win over Albemarle after their 1-1 standoff through overtime.

“I actually thought about that,” Booth said. “I think about that all the time because I regret that freshman year. But when I stepped up, I knew I was gonna knock it home, not like freshman year.”

FINAL | Cox beats Albemarle in penalty kicks to win the 2024 Class 5 VHSL boys soccer state championship @757teamz pic.twitter.com/pMvFsBOJTl

— Michael Sauls (@mcsauls) June 8, 2024

Saturday’s win gave Cox its second state title in the last three years. The Falcons won in 2022 before losing in the final to Princess Anne last year. Head coach Santo Ripa has been there for all of them, but this year was his first state championship win as a head coach.

“There’s no better feeling,” Ripa said. “…This is my lifeline, these are my boys. To do it two years ago with (former head coach Eric Blackmore) meant so much. To do it last year and come so close hurt so bad. To do it this year and show that our belief systems and manifesting that belief system is real, it all pays off, man. I’m nothing but happy.”

After advancing to the title game by beating Riverside in penalty kicks Friday, Ripa’s team had to put up another fight to secure a win Saturday.

Cox was down 1-0 going into halftime after Albemarle’s Eric Gaitan scored with nine minutes left before the break. During last year’s championship loss to Princess Anne, goalie Sam Braidwood said all of his teammates’ heads dropped when they were losing at halftime. This year, though, he didn’t see that.

With 21 minutes left in the game, Gabe Zarate scored a goal for Cox to tie the game at 1. The Falcons then powered through four overtime periods in the grueling summer heat to penalty kicks.

“Penalties can go either way,” Ripa said. “Granted, I know for a fact I’ve got the best goalkeeper in the state being Sam Braidwood. And his presence when it comes to penalties is definitely a leg up.”

Braidwood said Friday’s penalty-kick shootout with Riverside gave him added confidence Saturday afternoon.

“You feel like you’ve just been there and done that,” Braidwood said. “We get to that overtime and we’re like, honestly, man, let’s not risk it. We know what we can do in penalties, let’s take it there. So that was our mindset closer to the end of overtime.”

Braidwood, who turned 18 years old Saturday, kept a lid on Albemarle’s attack for the second half of the game and deflected two of the Patriots’ penalty kicks. In return, he got a state championship as a birthday present.

“There’s nothing else like it,” Braidwood said. “Some of these kids I’ve been playing with since I was 7, 8 years old. I played for Great Neck Middle, Dax and Josh (Haggerty) played in the city final in middle school, ended up playing all four years with them here at Cox. These are my guys for life. I’ll remember these moments for the rest of my life. Just the constant work, constant drive that we put into this season, it ended up paying off.”

Michael Sauls (757) 803-5774, michael.sauls@virginiamedia.com

The Rams (13-6-1) got the only goal they needed with 12 minutes to play in the first half on a header by sophomore Jack Troy. Moments after beginning the play on a throw-in, Jack Gemerek crossed at the far post to Troy, who nodded the ball across the goal.

That proved to be enough as the Rams’ defensive backfield of Jack Cantrell, Atticus Kamara, Andrew Reese, Eli Johnson and goalkeeper Clarke Canova proved impenetrable. The Rams began the season 1-5 — albeit against a schedule as tough as any in the area — when O’Brien paired Cantrell and Kamara together in the middle of the defense.

“We knew then we had the recipe to frustrate other teams,” O’Brien said.

While the state title is the first for Lafayette, it is the fourth as a coach for O’Brien, who guided Bay Rivers District rival Jamestown to three championships (2008, ’12 and ’15). He has built steadily at Lafayette, reaching the state quarterfinals the past two years, before fielding a starting lineup Saturday of nine seniors against a Western Albemarle team that won its first 21 games this season.

“After losing in the state quarterfinals last year, we vowed to hold each other accountable,” O’Brien said. “The best talent doesn’t always win, but the best team — the one that organizes, works hardest and has the best chemistry — does.”

Cantrell said O’Brien told the players, “This game is about more than soccer,” and counseled them to win each of the four segments punctuated by water breaks at the 20-minute mark of each half, and by halftime.

“We knew going in it would be a tough game and that (Western Albemarle) was undefeated, 21-0 and ranked at the top of all classifications,” Cantrell said. “But we knew we could win and it’s unreal that we just made (Lafayette) history.”

After defense had been at the forefront of the game all afternoon, it was up to the teams’ offenses to deliver a state title. The game’s storybook ending came in penalty kicks when Kellam senior Ava Chuderewicz knocked in the winning goal, giving the Knights a 4-2 victory in PKs.

Simply put, you just had to be there.

“I was super-nervous, but I was also very confident,” Chuderewicz said. “I know I’ve practiced this PK a lot and I just knew to call my nerves and just take my best shot. … I tried to clear my head as much as possible. I have my strategy, I just think, just use it and just want to make my team proud.”

FINAL | Kellam outlasts First Colonial in PKs to win the Class 5 VHSL girls soccer state championship. @757teamz pic.twitter.com/MhSAqJrEdg

— Michael Sauls (@mcsauls) June 8, 2024

Kellam’s win Saturday gave the Knights their first state championship since 2005. The Knights have had great teams in the past few years but hadn’t quite been able to finish the job, with losses in the state title game in 2022 and 2017. But 2024 will now be known as the year they finally got over the hump.

“Just kind of a sigh of relief,” Kellam coach Mario Hurdle said of the win. “I’m happy for them. This group has been here four years, but even before that, the groups that we were so close. It was always like, losing 1-0, going to penalty kicks. We have a great program with some great alumni. This is a culmination of all this work from the past four years, eight years, going through COVID with a group that didn’t get a chance to play their senior year. The seniors this year, they were freshmen and it was a shortened season. We were always close. So I’m proud of them.”

The old adage in sports is that “defense wins championships.” That was certainly the case for Kellam’s defense Saturday, but it’s not something out of the ordinary for the Knights. Kellam allowed just four goals this season, albeit all of them to First Colonial in their previous two matchups.

Kellam senior goalkeeper Anna Wise played a key role in keeping the Patriots’ attack under wraps. First Colonial, led by twins Sydney and Skylar Miller, had several opportunities late to score, but Wise was always there to keep a lid on the goal.

“We knew that the Millers were gonna come out strong and that we needed to be hard on defense, and we did exactly that,” Wise said. “We didn’t give them opportunities. We held our own all the way till the end. I knew I had to make that save, and we did it and now we’re winning.”

Hurdle said Wise and the Kellam back line were “unbelievable” on Saturday, holding a high-powered and talented First Colonial offense scoreless after it had totaled 105 goals this year.

“Anna Wise made some unbelievable saves in the a little stretch where we were on our heels. … First Colonial is a good team and they have some quality players that are difference-makers, but we have some good players, great players. But I think the major difference is it’s a collective group that’s been together for a long time and and they have fun together, and that’s huge.”

Kellam ended its season 19-1-1, and the Knights had one extra passenger on their bus ride home to Virginia Beach: a state championship trophy.

“It’s so special, our team hasn’t won in 19 years and we’re bringing it home,” Wise said. “We’re making history for Kellam and it’s so exciting.”

Michael Sauls, (757) 803-5774, michael.sauls@virginiamedia.com