757Teamz field hockey preview: Defending state champ Norfolk Academy starts at No. 1, Tabb eyes 4th straight title
5 things to watch
One is the loneliest number
Tabb was the 757’s sole Virginia High School League champion last season, going undefeated and capturing a third straight Class 3 trophy and 11th state title overall. Both Gloucester and First Colonial fell just short in their championship quests, advancing to the Class 4 and 5 finals, respectively. Other tournament qualifiers included Grassfield and Western Branch (Class 6), Cox, Nansemond River and Woodside (Class 5), Jamestown (Class 4) and Grafton, Poquoson and York (Class 3).
Another one
Norfolk Academy also went unbeaten en route to the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division I title – the Bulldogs’ fifth overall crown. They were joined in the state tournament by Catholic (Division I) and Cape Henry, Hampton Roads Academy and Walsingham (Division II).
The streaks
Norfolk Academy has won its previous 23 games and has not lost since a 4-0 defeat to Collegiate of Richmond in the 2022 VISAA Division I final. However, Tabb is currently on 68-game streak, with the Tigers’ last loss 2-1 in overtime to Poquoson in the April 2021 Class 3 state championship when fall sports were postponed to the spring due to the pandemic.
Recruiting trail
The college ranks have long been mining talent from the Hampton Roads area with the likes of American, James Madison, Liberty, Massachusetts, Old Dominion, William and Mary and perennial powerhouse Penn State just a handful of schools all having recruits playing this fall.
International scene
First Colonial’s Addie Savoie played with the AAU Under-16 team that captured the bronze medal at the Junior Olympics; Catholic’s Sophia Stavrides was also on one of the teams competing at the games. While Tabb’s Kira Trader and Poquoson’s Elizabeth Trant were selected for the U16 side that traveled to the Netherlands for the Junior U.S. Women’s National Team Europe Tour.
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5 players you should know
Great Bridge’s Lily Johnson (12) travels down field with the ball during a game against Nansemond River at Great Bridge High School in Chesapeake on Wednesday, October 11, 2023. (Kendall Warner/The Virginian-Pilot)
Riley Brooks-Booth, First Colonial senior forward
Brooks-Booth, a Massachusetts commit, fired in 19 goals for the Patriots last season and wasn’t afraid to drop back to the middle and facilitate, chipping in with nine assists.
Mia Jones, Norfolk Academy sophomore midfielder
Jones notched 15 goals and was second for the Bulldogs in assists as a freshman.
Lily Johnson, Great Bridge senior forward
Johnson, a William and Mary signee, registered 14 goals and four assists in ’23 for the Wildcats up top.
Anyia Woods, Nansemond River senior midfielder
The Iowa commit with control the center for the Warriors.
Nansemond River’s Anyia Woods (11) sends the ball down field during a game against Great Bridge at Great Bridge High School in Chesapeake on Wednesday, October 11, 2023. (Kendall Warner/The Virginian-Pilot)
Erma Bailey, Cox senior midfielder
Bailey, a three-year starter, totaled 17 goals and 16 assists last year and will power the Falcons from the middle.
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757Teamz Top 15
Tabb’s Mika Hilburger (5) feeds the ball to a teammate in front of the goal during the Class 3 Region A tournament championship game against Poquoson at Bailey Field in Yorktown on Thursday, November 2, 2023. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot)
1. Norfolk Academy
Joji Purdy led the area with 50 goals last season for the state champion Bulldogs. Coope Cutchins, Sydney Huddleston and Mia Jones will patrol the midfield in front of senior keeper Mia Clarkson. Purdy, Cutchins and Clarkson have all committed to Penn State.
2. Tabb
Kira Trader (28 goals and 33 assists), who has also committed to the Nittany Lions, and James Madison commit Mika Hilburger (37 goals and 27 assists) will be a formidable duo to contend with for the Tigers. Abbie McGinn anchors the defense which allowed just two goals last year.
3. Nansemond River
Jordan White put up 26 goals and 14 assists en route to being named Class 5 Region B Player of the Year for the state semifinalist Warriors. She’ll be flanked by Brylee Johnston, Aubrey White and Anyia Woods as the core of the Warriors, who advanced to the Class 5 semifinals and return a number of starters from the previous year.
Nansemond River’s Anyia Woods (11) sends the ball down field during a game against Great Bridge at Great Bridge High School in Chesapeake on Wednesday, October 11, 2023. (Kendall Warner/The Virginian-Pilot)
4. First Colonial
Claire Hitchings and Isadora Kitzmiller will look to propel a stout defense in front of freshman goaltender Addie Savoie. Riley Brooks-Booth will lead from the front for the Patriots, who were Class 5 finalists in ’23.
5. Gloucester
Reese Miller, who had 34 goals, will be joined by fellow all-state first teamers Mackenzi Reece, Abigail Junker and Addy Zabecki for the Dukes, who return eight starters from the team that made the Class 4 finals last season.
6. Cox
Goalie Isabel Pardo, who allowed just 13 goals last season, will be fronted by Mac Derr, who produced a goal line save for the Class 5 quarterfinalist Falcons. Erma Bailey will be relied upon on the offensive side.
7. Great Bridge
Lily Johnson will spearhead the attack for a team looking to make an impact in Class 5. Kenzie Cummins and Bella Steckline will provide support from the midfield for the Wildcats, who won five Class 4 titles over eight years before moving up to Class 5 last season.
8. Catholic
Forward Brooke Sutherland and midfielder Izzy Zaszewski will lead the attack for the Crusaders, who were knocked out in the VISAA Division I quarterfinals. Seniors Hannah Kirby and Lauren Gallager will provide leadership in defense and attack, respectively.
9. Poquoson
Elizabeth Trant (23 goals, 12 assists) and Grace Oates are both first-team all-state selections who will be mainstays as the Islanders look to challenge for the Class 3 title.
10. Princess Anne
The Cavaliers are looking to qualify for state postseason play after falling to Cox in the Class 5 Region A semis.
11. Kellam
The Knights were edged out 3-2 by Princess Anne in the Class 5 Region A quarterfinals last season.
12. Western Branch
Seniors Hannah Christenbury, Alex Richards and Hailey Ward will comprise the leadership nucleus for the Class 6 quarterfinalist Bruins
13. Grafton
The Clippers return their entire team that qualified for the Class 3 tournament.
14. York
All state selctions Natalie Moss and Alex Heckle will be relied upon by the Falcons, who were Class 3 quarterfinalists last season.
15. Grassfield
Eight of the 16 varsity returners are seniors, including forwards Kalyn Fluker and Meghan McDonald, who combined for 18 goals for the Class 6 quarterfinalist Grizzlies.
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