Consider seniors Alex Flesch and Kayla Peck remnants of an era past, one where the Tigers were as good as they are every year, only one game better.

Back in their freshman year, the Brentsville District girls soccer team claimed the Northwestern District regular season and tournament titles and won in the semi-finals of regions to earn an automatic berth to states. Sure, the next two games didn't work out as planned, with back-to-back losses in the regional final and state quarters but the Tiger girls proved they weren't just some fluke team from a weak district that waltzed into the playoffs.

They earned their keep.

When Brentsville's won during the last two seasons, it's been big. But the Tigers didn't drop post-season matches in blowout fashion. Often, the games were one-point affairs complete with screaming players, coaches and fans until the final whistle blew.

"We hit a brick wall because our district had easier teams," Flesch said Monday night after Brentsville topped visiting Seton 3-0 in a scrimmage.

So she and Peck took matters into their own hands and are organizing a lock-in get-together at the school, something they had not done since their run to states. Flesch said that may help with team bonding and could give the girls a chance just to have fun for the night, complete with obstacle course and other activities.

On the field, however, Peck is arguably Brentsville's most potent weapon, as she demonstrated against Seton with two goals.

"She's so intelligent off the ball," said coach Sean Weddel. "She is a solid leader off the field (too)."

Size Matters

"We have a lot of very small players," mentioned Flesch, adding that speed, skill and time of possession would play out-sized roles in compensating for the Tigers' lack of bulk.

Head coach Sean Weddell identified those same traits as potential strengths during a separate interview, indicating the Tigers are clearly on message and recognize that they're going to need to be "creative" in order to win, according to Weddel.

He mentioned Bridget Bergquist as one of the craftiest players on the team, explaining that the sophomore is "fantastic in the middle" of the field. When paired with freshman midfielder/defender Allie Bunner, who left Monday night's match with a deep ankle bruise after being stuck with an opponent's cleats, Weddell said the two of them "know how to play together" due to the time they've spent on the same teams outside of school.

According to Weddel, "We have a completely different team than we did last year."

He considered the youthfulness of the team a "constructive thing" and wants to challenge his players this year more so than normal through strength of schedule. For instance, the girls were set to take on Battlefield this past Tuesday night. The Bobcats are a constant state tournament contender and even made it to the Group AAA finale in 2008 where they lost to Robinson in overtime.

"We want to face that wall before we get to it in the post-season," said Weddel.

That means first-year starter Kristen Barrickman will have to be up to the task of goal defending as much as Erica Propps was during her high school run prior to graduation.

"She is a saving grace and she is up to the job," said Weddel of the sophomore.

Weddel has one message for his team as they approach the season opener March 19 against Group AAA Potomac: "(Be) confident and you've got to know that you've earned their right to be out there."