Girls’ soccer: District semifinal roundup

Entering this week’s Virginia AAA Concorde District tournament, Oakton wasn’t exactly in a position to brag. The Cougars, a preseason contender for the Concorde title, were the fifth seed in a tournament of six teams after managing only one district win.

But behind a late second-half goal by junior midfielder Caroline Coyer and strong defense, Oakton toppled top-ranked Centreville, 1-0, in the semifinals on Wednesday.

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“This means a lot,” Coyer said. “We were always trying to piece it together in every district game that we played. It was so close. I think that we knew we had it in us the whole time.”

It was the second ranked opponent that the Cougars had defeated this week after beating No. 6 Robinson, 1-0, on Monday.

Oakton (9-3-2) faces No. 4 Westfield, which defeated No. 3 Chantilly on Wednesday, in the district final on Friday. The winner will advance to the Northern Region tournament.

Oakton tempered Centreville’s aggressive attack for much of the game. But the Cougars held firm until the 65th minute when Coyer, a first-team all-district player, broke free across the middle of the field and received a teammate’s pass. She dribbled down the left wing and smacked a left-footed shot from nearly 20 yards out just over the reach of the Wildcats’ goalie.

From then on, Oakton held back pressure from Centreville (11-2). “It was tough and we’re a really good defensive team,” Coyer said. “Once we can get a goal, we can defend pretty well.”...

When Chantilly and Westfield met in late April, the game wasn’t decided until less than three minutes were left in the game, a double overtime affair which the Chargers won 2-1.

On Wednesday, it took even longer to decide who would advance further into the playoffs. After four overtime periods, a total of 100 minutes of scoreless soccer, Westfield edged Chantilly on penalty kicks (4-3).

After Westfield junior Nichole Bonzano took and scored the fifth penalty try, goalie Shannon Casey saved her second penalty shot of the shootout to preserve the win.

“Shannon was a rock all night, like she has been all season,” Westfield Coach Kristi Williams said of her first-team all-district goalie. “She was incredible.”

Rain postponed its opening round game against Herndon until Tuesday night, meaning Westfield entered Wednesday’s game tired.

In their trademark up-tempo style, the Chargers (8-4-2) played the aggressor much of the first half. But Westfield (10-2-3) pushed back more in the second half – but with missed opportunities on both sides.

“The second half was the real battle,” Williams said. “We kind of just dig our heels in and the kids just wouldn’t quit.” ...

LIBERTY DISTRICT SEMIFINALS: Rose Sommovigo scored two goals, while Becca Latimer and Melissa Downey each add a score, as McLean beat No. 10 Madison, 4-1, on Wednesday.

The Highlanders (10-3-2) will face the winner of No. 2 Stone Bridge-Fairfax, which was rescheduled to Thursday evening. ...

PATRIOT DISTRICT SEMIFINALS: Both games were rescheduled to Thursday. Lake Braddock and West Springfield were tied at 1-1 with 2:25 left in the second overtime period when lightning suspended the game. The contest is expected to be completed Thursday at 4 p.m. at Lee.

The other semifinal matchup, No. 7 W.T. Woodson-South County, is scheduled to follow.

NATIONAL DISTRICT SEMIFINALS: Washington-Lee defeated Hayfield, 2-0, and will face Yorktown in the final on Friday. Yorktown defeated Edison, 3-0, in a game that was called at halftime because of lightning.

The final will be a rematch of last year’s district final in which the Generals won their first title since 2002.