VIRGINIA GIRLS SOCCER: Independence stuns top-ranked Virginia Beach Kellam for Class 5 state title in battle of unbeatens
- Dan Stickradt
- Jun 15
- 3 min read
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
Tigers earned double-overtime win over Knights in rematch
GLEN ALLEN, Va. – Revenge can be sweet. Especially in the state tournament.
And against the top-ranked team in the state.
And against the No. 2-ranked team in the country.
And against one of the best defensive teams not just in Virginia but in the nation as well.
Especially considering the revenge came against the school that knocked you out the postseason the previous year.
Ashburn Independence is living that type of dream.
After losing in the Virginia High School League Class 5 state semifinals last June to eventual state champion Virginia Beach Kellam, 1-0, Independence turned the tables this season and recorded a thrilling 3-2 double-overtime victory over Kellam Saturday in the Class 5 state title game at Glen Allen Deep Run High School.
Both teams were undefeated on the season heading into the match but only second-ranked Independence (23-0-0) escaped with the win, perfect record and most importantly – the Class 5 state championship.
Independence finishes up with a 114-7 scoring edge and 18 shutouts in 23 games this season. The Tigers also finish with a paltry 0.31 goals-against-average while scoring 4.96 goals-per-game.
Independence did something that no team has done this season – take an early lead. The Tigers became just the second school to even score on Kellam’s stout defense this season and also became the first school in two years to score more than two goals in a game on the Knights, who entered the state tournament ranked No. 1 in Virginia’s Class 5 polls and No. 2 in the nation by the United Soccer Coaches for the 17 states that play girls soccer in the spring.
Kellam was also the 2024 Class 5 state champion. The Tigers knocked them off their high ground during overtime Saturday.
Three minutes into the first overtime, sophomore Kimiko Zoder headed home a free kick from freshman Morgan Blelloch in the 83rd and the Tigers defense made it stand during both overtime periods to secure the state championship – the Tigers’ second in three years.
In 2023, Independence defeated Glen Allen Deep Run 3-0 for the Class 5 title.
Independence took an early 1-0 lead when senior Jayden Fisher volleyed home a cross from senior and University of Delaware signee Lilli Lubic in just the fifth minute.
It was Lubic who upped the lead in the 38th minute when she scored her team-best 32nd goal of the season off a pass from freshman Riley Comiskey.
Down a rare 2-0 at the half, Kellam – which entered the state finals with a 101-1 scoring edge and 20 shutouts this season – finally pulled one back in the 46th minute. Freshman Dylan Mentar sent home a close-range shot off a cross from junior Mayson Ritchie to trim the deficit down to 2-1.
Reagan Thompson equalized the game at 2-2 when she scored during a wild goal-mouth scramble after Independence failed to clear the ball.
Senior Lillian Mitchell made five saves in seven chances for the win in goal for Independence.
Junior Moly Beaudin made six saves in nine chances for Kellam.
The Knights finish 21-1-0 with 20 shutouts in 22 games. Kellam outscored the opposition 101-4 but came up one win shy of a second straight state title. The team still averaged around 4.60 goals-per-game with a 0.19 goals-against-average as a team.
In the semifinals, Ashburn Independence downed Virginia Beach Ocean Lakes 5-2, while Virginia Beach Kellam blanked Richmond Godwin 4-0 to set the stage for two unbeatens to meet up in the state finals.
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