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The Kellam High School girls soccer team has been a force to reckon with in Hampton Roads in recent history, and so far this year has been no different.
Coach Mario Hurdle and the Knights currently boast a 7-0-1 record and have remained No. 1 in the 757Teamz Top 15 poll for all of the 2024 season.
“I just tell them try to get better every game and see progress,” Hurdle said. “What’s been working is players have stepped up in the games and been competitive with each other and (have) helped each other out. I think we’ve been fortunate that when girls have been injured, someone else was able to step in and contribute.”
Kellam’s offense has continued to dominate in 2024. Last year, the Knights scored 74 goals in 19 games for an average of 3.8 per game. In the first eight games of last season, the Knights scored 38 goals, but they’ve already eclipsed that mark with 42 this year. Kellam is averaging 5.25 goals per game and has scored more than five goals five times this season.
Hurdle said the key to Kellam’s early success on offense has been “sharing the load.” So far this year, 16 Knights have scored a goal. They’re all led by sophomore Reagan Thompson, who has scored eight.
“I don’t think we have one player that is scoring all the goals,” Hurdle said. “I think we’re scoring by committee, finding different ways to score. And then I think our defense is really what helps us for our offense.”
Kellam’s defense has been just as dominant as its offense thus far. Through eight games, the Knights have only given up two goals, both in the first half of a matchup with No. 2 First Colonial in March. Last year, they allowed three in the entire season.
“It starts with our forwards, our pressure — again, different people contributing,” Hurdle said. “… I’m a big believer in good defending. If you don’t get scored on, you can’t lose games. If we can finish opportunities and limit other teams’ opportunities, then you can be successful. But again, it’s by committee. One thing is being organized on both ends of the ball, trying to keep everything in front of us and not behind us.”
The aforementioned game with First Colonial is the only spot on Kellam’s otherwise-unblemished record. After the Patriots got up 2-0 early in the game, the Knights fought back for a 2-2 draw.
Hurdle said a lesson his team can take from the match is the importance of playing all the way until the final whistle.
“I think it was an exciting game for people to watch. I think they came out really strong and put a lot of pressure on us at the very beginning of the game,” Hurdle said. “… (First Colonial) is a quality team and they have some quality players, but we have some quality players as well. So what we learned is we have to play for a full match and it can’t be in spurts.”
Hurdle said contributions from the likes of Brooke Owens, 2023 All-Tidewater selection Dylan McEntarfer, Avery Spell, Bailey Campbell, Anna Wise, Allysa Chuderewicz and Ava Chuderewicz have made an impact early and will be crucial for the remainder of the year.
Kellam’s next game is at 5:15 p.m. Friday at home against Ocean Lakes. Hurdle believes Kellam will need to fine-tune its consistency and “stay grounded” for the remainder of the year to bring home the Class 5 state title.
“Take it one game at a time and do the little things well, things that I preach from day one,” Hurdle said. “Trying to get better, being consistent and finishing our opportunities. Defensively, staying compact. Soccer is this crazy game, you can have a great game and still lose games.”
Michael Sauls, (757) 803-5774, michael.sauls@virginiamedia.com
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