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Two years ago, Justin Armitage started his high school career as a spot freshman forward on the Courtland High School boys soccer team that made a run in the Group AA state playoffs.

Now, coming off a sophomore campaign that earned him a spot on the Group AA all-state second team, he should be a critical part of a Cougars' squad that hopes to contend not only in the Battlefield District, but also in the region and state playoffs.

That isonce he returns to form after breaking his leg while playing football in the snow earlier this winter.

"[The injury] has slowed me down," said Armitage who missed out on a lot of college showcase tournaments with his Gunston Dragons club team. "I was ready to go, and then when I got hurt it was like a little setback."

Last season, Armitage played with the D.C. United youth team that reached the final of the prestigious Dallas Cup tournament. He said the experience he's gained with that team has played one of the biggest roles in his development.

"Learning from what they have and taking it to my other teams has made a big difference," he said.

Armitage, who scored 12 goals last season, is one of the younger players on this season's senior-laden team that returns nine of 11 starters from last year's squad that fell to Grafton 2-0 in the Region I quarterfinals.

Only a junior, his presence on the field makes a difference for the Cougars said senior defender Matt Cruz, who has played with Armitage since he was 11.

"He brings a lot of motivation. If he sees something on the field, he'll let you know," Cruz said. "He's a verbal leader, but it's more the way he plays and sees the field that helps us the most."

Expectations to improve on last season's finish are high, but Armitage's return isn't the only factor in the team's equation to reaching its high goals.

Fourth-year head coach J.T. Nino has been preparing the Cougars to play without Armitage at 100 percent, and feels confident in what he has seen so far.

"Not having him on the field hurts," Nino said, "but I still think we have a good team without him. When he gets back that's just another added weapon to what we've got so far."