Last spring, three of Virginia's four local girls soccer state champions won the title for the first time in program history.
Colgan, Independence and Takarora made the leap and achieved program-changing wins, becoming the first group of schools to lift a state championship. It was the second time in history that the Brentsville District won the championship, and the first time in 20 years.
“It was a great experience to get there and lose, and it definitely gave us motivation throughout last year,” Tuscarora coach Dave Greider said. The team won last year, but lost in the Class 4 finals in 2022. “The returning players and the young players were able to experience what it takes and how difficult it is, but I believe they now have that inner drive. ”
The same team will likely repeat itself in 2024 with the new experience that comes with success in the tournament.
The Post's preseason rankings have four defending state champions in the top five, with defending Class 5 champion Independence leading the way. Battlefield, which lost to Colgan in last year's Class 6 championship, is another team that finished in the top five. Fairfax County teams Oakton and Madison, Loudoun County teams Freedom (South Riding) and Champe, and Arlington County's Yorktown rounded out the rest of the top 10.
All records are from last season.
