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| Girls’ soccer preview: Recalibrated Stone Bridge is ready to contend; players, games, teams to watch | Girls’ soccer preview: Recalibrated Stone Bridge is ready to contend; players, games, teams to watch |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| In the months leading up to each of Sherrie Colby’s first two seasons as Stone Bridge’s girls’ soccer coach, just when it seemed as if the Bulldogs were on the verge of something great, she was forced to go back to the drawing board. | In the months leading up to each of Sherrie Colby’s first two seasons as Stone Bridge’s girls’ soccer coach, just when it seemed as if the Bulldogs were on the verge of something great, she was forced to go back to the drawing board. |
| It happened following the team’s 2014 run to the Virginia 5A state final, when All-Mets Briana Alston and Emily Fox elected to focus on club soccer. And it happened again this spring, when sophomore All-Met Amy Thompson, the top player from last year’s state runner-up, chose to play lacrosse this spring. | It happened following the team’s 2014 run to the Virginia 5A state final, when All-Mets Briana Alston and Emily Fox elected to focus on club soccer. And it happened again this spring, when sophomore All-Met Amy Thompson, the top player from last year’s state runner-up, chose to play lacrosse this spring. |
| But while the notable names have departed from the perennial power Bulldogs, their status as a contender remained in tact. Led by a strong defensive unit, No. 2 Stone Bridge is off to a 2-0-1 start against tough out-of-conference competition. | But while the notable names have departed from the perennial power Bulldogs, their status as a contender remained in tact. Led by a strong defensive unit, No. 2 Stone Bridge is off to a 2-0-1 start against tough out-of-conference competition. |
| “It’s been interesting,” Colby said with a laugh. “I’ve had to put some of the girls in different positions and we already have a couple starters from last year dealing with injuries, but a lot of the credit goes to the girls for the teamwork and chemistry they show to stay competitive.” | “It’s been interesting,” Colby said with a laugh. “I’ve had to put some of the girls in different positions and we already have a couple starters from last year dealing with injuries, but a lot of the credit goes to the girls for the teamwork and chemistry they show to stay competitive.” |
| Through two scrimmages and three games, the Bulldogs have yet to allow a goal, holding their own against the likes of Class 4A runner-up Heritage, No. 7 Westfield, No. 4 Chantilly and defending 4A champ Loudoun County. Anchoring Stone Bridge’s back line are all-state senior Brigitte Deel and Alyssa Choo, who led the team in assists last year. | Through two scrimmages and three games, the Bulldogs have yet to allow a goal, holding their own against the likes of Class 4A runner-up Heritage, No. 7 Westfield, No. 4 Chantilly and defending 4A champ Loudoun County. Anchoring Stone Bridge’s back line are all-state senior Brigitte Deel and Alyssa Choo, who led the team in assists last year. |
| “Brigitte has been incredible back there, especially for someone who started at forward as a freshman,” Colby said. “And Alyssa is our utility player. No matter where I put her, she always excels.” | “Brigitte has been incredible back there, especially for someone who started at forward as a freshman,” Colby said. “And Alyssa is our utility player. No matter where I put her, she always excels.” |
| Complementing their play is senior midfielder Lindsay Gallagher, a Florida commit whose poise and talent have helped translate Stone Bridge’s defensive success to the offensive unit, led by junior forward Alexandra Addington. | Complementing their play is senior midfielder Lindsay Gallagher, a Florida commit whose poise and talent have helped translate Stone Bridge’s defensive success to the offensive unit, led by junior forward Alexandra Addington. |
| The Bulldogs’ knack for concerted play will be vital in travailing an unforgiving Conference 14 slate, which features the last two 5A state champs — No. 3 Broad Run and No. 6 Briar Woods — as well as No. 8 Tuscarora. The challenge, however, is one that Stone Bridge welcomes in its quest to return to the championship game and this time, produce a different result. | The Bulldogs’ knack for concerted play will be vital in travailing an unforgiving Conference 14 slate, which features the last two 5A state champs — No. 3 Broad Run and No. 6 Briar Woods — as well as No. 8 Tuscarora. The challenge, however, is one that Stone Bridge welcomes in its quest to return to the championship game and this time, produce a different result. |
| “It’s going to take a lot of perseverance to get past the teams we face,” Colby said. “But as we work well with our defense and midfield, we believe we can have a different ending.” | “It’s going to take a lot of perseverance to get past the teams we face,” Colby said. “But as we work well with our defense and midfield, we believe we can have a different ending.” |
| F Allyson Brown, Loudoun County, Jr. — Scored 31 goals last season in helping lead the Raiders to the 4A state title. | F Allyson Brown, Loudoun County, Jr. — Scored 31 goals last season in helping lead the Raiders to the 4A state title. |
| MF Rayven Conner, Briar Woods, Sr. — Tenacious, sure-footed four-year starter hopes to lead the Falcons to their second state title in three seasons. | MF Rayven Conner, Briar Woods, Sr. — Tenacious, sure-footed four-year starter hopes to lead the Falcons to their second state title in three seasons. |
| D Marissa Ferratino, Osbourn Park, Sr. — Earned second-team All-Met for her stout play on the back line for the Yellow Jackets last season. | D Marissa Ferratino, Osbourn Park, Sr. — Earned second-team All-Met for her stout play on the back line for the Yellow Jackets last season. |
| GK Courtenay Kaplan, Tuscarora, Sr. — All-Met had eight shutouts during the Huskies’ best season in school history. | |
| D Shannon Lee, Battlefield, Jr. — Aggressive All-Met defender will be leaned on as the Bobcats look to win their third straight 6A state title. | D Shannon Lee, Battlefield, Jr. — Aggressive All-Met defender will be leaned on as the Bobcats look to win their third straight 6A state title. |
| MF Katie McGrath, Chantilly, Sr. — Emerged last season as a strong spark for the Chargers to earn second-team All-Met honors. | MF Katie McGrath, Chantilly, Sr. — Emerged last season as a strong spark for the Chargers to earn second-team All-Met honors. |
| F Amanda Nhek, Patriot, Jr. — Scoring machine netted 26 goals to lead Pioneers to the Conference 8 regular-season title. | F Amanda Nhek, Patriot, Jr. — Scoring machine netted 26 goals to lead Pioneers to the Conference 8 regular-season title. |
| MF/F Tess Sapone, Oakton, Sr. — Saavy, versatile senior will lead an experienced Cougars group after earning second-team All-Met status last year. | MF/F Tess Sapone, Oakton, Sr. — Saavy, versatile senior will lead an experienced Cougars group after earning second-team All-Met status last year. |
| March 30: Patriot at Westfield — The Bulldogs, under first-year Coach Patrick Barthold, will look to slow Amanda Nhek and an explosive Patriot team that has outscored opponents 11-0 in two games. | March 30: Patriot at Westfield — The Bulldogs, under first-year Coach Patrick Barthold, will look to slow Amanda Nhek and an explosive Patriot team that has outscored opponents 11-0 in two games. |
| April 7: Stone Bridge at Briar Woods — Neighboring Ashburn schools and Conference 14 foes will renew their rivalry in what should be a physical match. | April 7: Stone Bridge at Briar Woods — Neighboring Ashburn schools and Conference 14 foes will renew their rivalry in what should be a physical match. |
| April 19: Battlefield at Broad Run — Battlefield, the two-time defending 6A state champ, travels to take on the youthful and talented Spartans, who won the 5A crown last year. | April 19: Battlefield at Broad Run — Battlefield, the two-time defending 6A state champ, travels to take on the youthful and talented Spartans, who won the 5A crown last year. |
| April 26: Chantilly at Tuscarora — Both teams will take a break from their tough conference slates to face off for the first time. | April 26: Chantilly at Tuscarora — Both teams will take a break from their tough conference slates to face off for the first time. |
| Two-time defending 6A state champ Battlefield has not missed a beat, outscoring its first two opponents, 13-0. . . . Broad Run outlasted Chantilly, 2-1 last week. . . . But Chantilly bounced back to defeat perennial state powers Cox and Kellam over the weekend. . . . Briar Woods has won its first two games by a combined 12-0 margin. . . . Westfield opened the season with a 3-1 win against No. 8 Tuscarora | Two-time defending 6A state champ Battlefield has not missed a beat, outscoring its first two opponents, 13-0. . . . Broad Run outlasted Chantilly, 2-1 last week. . . . But Chantilly bounced back to defeat perennial state powers Cox and Kellam over the weekend. . . . Briar Woods has won its first two games by a combined 12-0 margin. . . . Westfield opened the season with a 3-1 win against No. 8 Tuscarora |
| 1. Battlefield (21-2-1) Last ranked: 2 | 1. Battlefield (21-2-1) Last ranked: 2 |
| 2. Stone Bridge (16-5-3) LR: 4 | 2. Stone Bridge (16-5-3) LR: 4 |
| 3. Broad Run (20-1-1) LR: 1 | 3. Broad Run (20-1-1) LR: 1 |
| 4. Chantilly (12-4-3) LR: 5 | 4. Chantilly (12-4-3) LR: 5 |
| 5. Patriot (14-5-2) LR: 7 | 5. Patriot (14-5-2) LR: 7 |
| 6. Briar Woods (9-8-1) LR: NR | 6. Briar Woods (9-8-1) LR: NR |
| 7. Westfield (5-9-1) LR: NR | 7. Westfield (5-9-1) LR: NR |
| 8. Tuscarora (13-6-2) LR: 9 | 8. Tuscarora (13-6-2) LR: 9 |
| 9. W.T. Woodson (15-3-1) LR: 6 | 9. W.T. Woodson (15-3-1) LR: 6 |
| 10. Centreville (10-4-2) LR: NR | 10. Centreville (10-4-2) LR: NR |
| On the bubble: Loudoun County (23-0-1), Washington-Lee (8-7-1), Yorktown (13-2-3) | On the bubble: Loudoun County (23-0-1), Washington-Lee (8-7-1), Yorktown (13-2-3) |
| Final 2015 records. | Final 2015 records. |