Saturday, September 5, 2026
By Maggie Miles | Outer Banks Voice on August 31, 2026
Ella-Rae Reese discovered her love for soccer at age seven when she began playing with the kids in her neighborhood in Brambleton, Virginia. Last season, as a freshman Forward/Winger on the varsity women’s soccer team at First Flight High School (FFHS), she was the only Division 4A freshman to earn All-State honors, and was named Conference Player of the Year.
The FFHS women’s team ended a terrific season in May with a loss in the 4A Eastern Regional Finals to top-seeded Carrboro. For the year, the squad finished with a 19-4-1 overall record.
For her exploits, Reese was also named the eighth ranking freshman in the nation for total points, according to MaxPreps—finishing the season with 45 goals and 10 assists.
“It meant a lot because it showed all the hard work that I put into soccer, and it showed that it has paid off, and it’s an honor,” said Reese, 15, who moved with her family to Nags Head in 2021. “But it also motivates me to keep improving because I know I still have a lot to learn.”
“It was so cool to see my name on the list,” said Reese, of the national freshmen rankings. “But I know I wouldn’t have been able to do any of that without my teammates and family, coaches.”
“Ella-Rae is a special talent,” said Chad Williams, athletic director at FFHS. “She looks to be the next in line of a long list of very successful First Flight soccer players. I’m very much looking forward to watching her continue to progress and lead our girls’ soccer program.”
Reese recalls being a bit intimidated at her first day of practice, wondering if her older teammates would accept her. Turns out, she didn’t need to worry.
“My teammates accepted me as a freshman more than I could have imagined,” she said. “They were so welcoming and gave me so much confidence and made me feel like I truly belonged.”
According to FFHS women’s soccer head coach Joel Mount, it is especially important to create a sense of belonging in the team.
“We have a great group of girls that look out for each other throughout all their experiences, and that’s the culture that we’ve really worked hard to foster,” said Mount. “This is kind of what it’s all about…creating a love and a passion for not just the sport, but also for the camaraderie that comes along with the experiences that you have together.”
“So, for Ella-Rae to have…stats that are competitive in the state as a freshman is a great testament to not only…who she is, but also how she works within our system, and how she plays with her teammates,” said Mount. “I can tell you from coaching for what I have that it’s not something that is just given. It’s something that they have to earn, and she definitely earned it.”
He also cites Reese’s technical skills and exceptional speed as primary assets that allowed her to get behind defenses. And while he credits the team’s attacking formation and several senior players who helped create openings, many of her goals were the result of individual hustle and effort, he noted.
“One of her greatest strengths is that she’s got such good speed. She’s just a very fast player, and it’s not something that we’ve had for the past few years,” said Mount.
Prep Soccer, a site that focuses on coverage of high school soccer, described Reese as “a player who changes the game whenever she feels like it. Skillful and fast, she can leave defenders behind her easily…She will dribble through the defense or across them to get an opportunity to shoot. When she does get the chance, she takes it magnificently.”
Her achievements on the First Flight soccer team are not the only items on Reese’s athletic resume. Reese also runs track, and was the 4A state runner-up for in the 500M this year. She also plays club soccer ECNL level with Beach FC and is a United Futsal World Champion.
But at 15, how does Reese keep up with school, varsity soccer, club soccer, track, and life as a teen?
“It’s definitely busy, but I try to stay organized and manage my time wisely, and stay on a strict schedule,” she said, adding that she tries to makes time for fun and loves hanging out with her friends and going to the beach, listening to music, and working out.
Preparing for the coming season, Reese noted that she is working to improve foot skills, shooting speed, agility, and overall strength. Her dream is to play Division 1 soccer in college (NC State is her top choice) and on to compete at the highest level that she can.
