Langley’s field hockey team has faced all challengers this season.
Defending Northern Region champ Westfield? Check. Perennial power Lake Braddock? Beat them, too. Long-time nemesis W.T. Woodson? After some nervous moments late, the Saxons won that one as well.
Not that they are overconfident, even with a sterling 14-0 record. After all, No. 2 Langley still has the bitter memories of last year’s region semifinal loss to Westfield to fuel it.
“It was devastating,” said senior forward KatieKnapp, whose team staged a furious second-half rally that night in a 2-1 loss. “But at the same time, there was still another year for a lot of us. It’s all about doing better in the postseason this time. Nothing else matters.”
Langley has always fielded competitive field hockey teams. But championships have eluded the program. The Saxons haven’t won a Liberty District title since 2000, the first year under coach Jenn Robb. And they last won a region crown in 1980, well before the current group of players was even born.
“It’s still a matter of taking baby steps,” said Robb. “As well as we’ve played, we don’t want to think too far ahead. Winning a district title is the first thing to worry about.”
Langley gets the chance starting next week in the Liberty District tournament. A 3-2 win over Woodson last Tuesday was an important psychological step. The Cavaliers twice beat the Saxons by that exact score in double overtime last season — during the regular season and in the district championship game.
“That’s why our [non-district] schedule has been so important and why the Woodson game was so big,” said Knapp, who has team highs in goals (15) and points (21). “We’ve already played Westfield and Lake Braddock and Oakton. You know who to mark and that you can hold a lead against them. But now we have to do it again.”
Playoff time
» Langley ends the regular season against South Lakes on Senior Day today and at Jefferson on Friday. The TJ game time has been changed to 4 p.m.
» Saxons senior MF Faith Adams, an All-Examiner pick last fall, has nine goals and 10 assists.
» Division I recruits dot Langley’s roster — but not all are field hockey players. D Lauren Canning (William & Mary) will play lacrosse. F Morgan Danner is a possible college track athlete. Kelsey Green will play college softball and GK Kelly Germain college soccer.
