By Sheldon Shealer
When it mattered most, W.T. Woodson was the best girls high school soccer team in Virginia.
The Cavaliers, who got shut out in back-to-back games in midseason, found their form in the
playoffs and walked away with the school's first Class AAA state title following a 1-0 victory
over Kempsville on Saturday.
Teri Joyce, the talented midfielder who's been involved in most of Woodson's offense this year,
served a cross to freshman Heidi Gribble, who headed home the eventual game-winner in the
19th minute the schools most successful season ever.
It was Gribbles fourth goal on the year, three of which came on headers.
Woodson finished the year at 17-3-1, and is ranked 15th in the most recent National Soccer
Coaches Association of America/Umbro High School National Rankings.
It marks the first time this season that the Cavaliers made it among the nations elite 20 teams;
Woodson was ranked in the Top 20 in 1995 and 1996.
Interestingly, nearly half of Woodsons "season" was actually in the postseason.
After posting an 8-2-1 regular season record, the team was seeded No. 2 in the Concorde District.
The Cavaliers proceeded to win three straight games to win the district title, and three more to
reach the region finals.
