Langley took a big step toward securing the top seed in the Liberty District Tournament with a 1-1 tie Friday night against district rival W.T. Woodson.

The visiting Saxons (9-0-2, 3-0-1) got a goal from senior forward Taline Tahmassian - her 14th of the season in nine games - in the fifth minute to take an early lead. Woodson junior Yobel Gaski netted the tying score in the 25th minute for the Cavaliers.

Neither team was able to capitalize from then on despite a wide-open style of play that produced numerous solid scoring chances for each squad.

``It gave us a little bit of confidence because Langley beat us [4-0] last season," Cavaliers coach Jim Abt said. ``We proved something to ourselves that we're able to play at that level."

Woodson (7-3-1, 3-1-1) has had plenty of chances this season to witness the difficulty of playing at such a level after games against the four teams widely considered to be the Northern Region Tournament favorites: Robinson, Lake Braddock, West Springfield and Langley.

``Of the four top teams, it's still a pick 'em," said Abt, whose team is 1-2-1 against the aforementioned quartet. ``In my opinion, it depends on [Casey] McCluskey at West Springfield. With her in the lineup, West Springfield is a beast. But it's still very difficult to predict."

McCluskey suffered a knee injury earlier this season and hasn't played since.

``I wouldn't count Woodson out of that group," Langley coach Melissa Kulp said. ``They really impressed me."

With wins this season over West Springfield, Hylton and McLean and an 11-game unbeaten streak, the Saxons have shown that while Tahmassian is their main gun, she is not their only weapon.

``We've already proven to people that we're not a one-person team," Kulp said. ``If we can continue playing the way we are, we should be in good shape."

Patriotic feeling in the National

Yorktown has established itself as the class of the National District and could be on its way to improving on last season's 12-3 record, which was the best in school history.

The Patriots (8-0-2, 5-0) went 2-0-1 in three games last week, including a 3-1 win over Falls Church, and 1-1 tie against traditional power McLean. The win over the Jaguars, who entered the game with a 4-0 mark in the district, gave the Patriots the inside track toward the top seed in the National District Tournament. But the draw against the Highlanders may have been equally important. Last season, McLean hammered Yorktown 6-2.

``We're trying to put Yorktown on the map," Patriots coach Bernie McHale said. ``That's what I've been telling my kids and that's why we're going to play teams like McLean every year."

After losing to Washington-Lee in the National District Tournament last season, the Patriots have come back with revenge as motivation.

``Our goal is to win the district tournament and get a first seed in the region tournament," McHale said. ``That's all the kids have been talking about."

Nine juniors who played key roles on last year's team returned this season and that continuity has been a major plus, according to McHale. Goalkeeper Anna Rosen has been outstanding for the Patriots. The junior and third-year starter has allowed just four goals in 10 games.

Sophomore midfielder Katelyn Jones (11 goals) and junior forward Lindsey Palmiero (nine goals) are locked in a battle for the team scoring lead.

But statistics will be an afterthought if the Patriots falter down the stretch like they did last season.

``It doesn't really mean anything if we don't win the district tourney," McHale said.

Wildcats limping to success

With Friday's 4-0 win over Westfield, Centreville improved to 3-0-1 in the Concorde District, 7-4-1 overall.

Senior forward Mary Weiskopf scored twice for the Wildcats to raise her team-leading goal total to nine and sophomore midfielder Aimee Prevallet continued her standout play in the middle.

``We haven't played a full 80 minutes and we still need to do that," Centreville coach Warren Williams said. ``But we've been banged up."

To say the least.

The Wildcats lost Iona-bound senior Ali Virotsko early in the season when she tore tendons in her ankle. Sophomore midfielder/forward Tiffany Chudoba, an All-District selection as a freshman, has disc problems in her back and has missed the last two games. It's doubtful Chudoba will return to action this season, Williams said.

Senior fullback Kristen Heimerle has tendon problems in her right ankle and is out for at least a week, although Williams is hopeful she will return after that.

Junior fullback Natalie Jacobs, also an All-District selection last season, suffered two concussions earlier this season and has been out recently. She may return for tonight's game against Annandale.

And senior forward Emily Ward, who will play next year at Illinois, has just returned to action after undergoing surgery on a torn anterior cruciate ligament injured in November.

Still, the Wildcats are in position to secure the first seed in the Concorde District Tournament should they earn wins this week over Herndon on Tuesday and Oakton on Thursday.

``We'll know where we stand at the end of this week," Williams said.

Cougars must shuffle Deck

Oakton's 3-1 loss to Woodbridge this past Thursday hurt in more ways than one.

There was the sting of allowing two goals in the final minute to the defending Group AAA state champions.

But the real pain may have come after the game when it was determined that goalkeeper Kelly Fitzgerald had suffered a broken orbital bone in her cheek after taking an inadvertent kick in the face while dropping down to make a save.

The Arizona State-bound senior continued playing but complained of pain after the game. While results from a CAT Scan taken on Friday are still being waited on, Cougars coach Kathy Clark said Fitzgerald is out indefinitely.

That means sophomore Jen Deck will move into the goal for Oakton (4-5-2, 3-0-1 Concorde District). Deck started three games in goal earlier this season when Fitzgerald was out of town and also started Friday night in the Cougars' 6-0 win over South Lakes. It was Deck's fourth shutout in four starts.

``The team is confident with her in goal," Clark said of Deck, who plays goalie for her club team, the Braddock Road Elektras.

With games this week against Chantilly on Tuesday and Centreville on Thursday, Deck will have to be at her best as the first seed in the district tournament is still up or grabs.

While their overall record is not overwhelming, the Cougars have traveled a brutal road to get to this point, with out-of-district games against Robinson, West Springfield, Langley, McLean and Woodbridge.

``I don't regret the scheduling," Clark said. ``It's best to play the tough teams you may meet in the region tournament. The only question is that sometimes it can be hard on team morale. But our kids understand why it's important to play those games. We have good senior leadership and that helps with getting the rest of the team to understand the big picture."

One senior who has been leading by example recently is forward Maha Elnabawi. Last Tuesday she scored all three goals in a 3-0 win over district rival Jefferson and she had two assists Friday in the win over South Lakes.

``[Elnabawi] has really started to come on during district play," Clark said. ``And our offense is starting to gel."