By David Steinbacher
Special to the HERALD
(From the issue of 11/28/02)
The Paul VI Panthers improved dramatically during the second half of the season and lost 2-1 to Gonzaga in the boys’ championship soccer game.
The Panthers, coached by Andrew Burk, started the season with a 2-5 record, but turned things around in late October to finish 6-7 for the year. PVI entered the tournament as the ninth seed, but stunned nationally ranked and top-seeded DeMatha in penalty kicks in the first round.
Senior striker Ed Zigo scored early to give PVI a 1-0 halftime lead. DeMatha scored late to force overtime. Neither team scored in the two extra sessions.
In the penalty kick phase, two DeMatha kicks were stopped by Panther goalie Mike O’Donnell. Four of the Panthers shots found the back of the net.
"It was very special because earlier in the game I missed a penalty kick," said Ryan Price. "I beat the goalkeeper to his left side."
"Both of the shots that I stopped were to my left," said O’Donnell. "Our goalkeeper coach taught me how to dive for the ball real well."
The Panthers knocked off St. John’s 1-0 in the semi-finals. Senior Cory Messerschmidt scored off an assist from Brian Snell.
Copyright ©2002 Arlington Catholic Herald. All rights reserved.
Return to back issues
Return to main
page