The Bishop O'Connell women’s soccer team is off to another exceptional start. The Knights, coached by veteran Alberto Starace (19th season), currently weigh in with an overall mark of 7-0 (3-0 WCAC) and are ranked first in the Washington area.

The 2002 WCAC champions have scored an astounding 42 goals thus far in 2003, while surrendering only four.

In chronological order, the Knights have defeated: Holy Cross(4-0), Catholic (8-0), Spalding (3-1), McDonough (5-1), St. Marys Ryken (13-0), arch rival Paul VI (5-2) and Georgetown Visitation (4-0).

O'Connell blends a solid distribution of older and younger players, and the Knights are intent on trying to duplicate last seasons championship success.

"Our junior class is exceptional, but we've also got four freshmen and some very good seniors and sophomores on this team," said Starace.

Leading the charge defensively are junior goalkeeper Ariel Baniowski, junior "sweeper" Lauren Kelly, junior "stopper" Amanda Dabbenigno and junior outside fullbacks Melissa Toulouse and Jeanne Neal.

"Offensively, we're very solid. Defensively, we're very strong. This team is looking good this year," said Baniowski.

Leading the charge offensively are senior outside midfielder Kerry O'Keefe, junior outside midfielder Cassidy Burton, senior inside midfielder Natalie Arias, junior inside midfielder Mick Imgram, junior "striker" L.B. Puglisi and sophomore "striker" Sarah Fening.

"I've had some very good teams in prior seasons, but this one right now is one of the best," said Starace, who has taken the Knights to the conference title game in 13 of his previous 18 seasons.

After seven games, Arias, a returning All-Met and high school All-American, has scored 11 goals. In addition, Imgram (six), Puglisi (five), Dabbenigno (five), freshman "striker" Liz Carroll (five), Fening (four), junior "striker" Liz Bikowski (two), Kelly (one), Toulouse (one), O'Keefe (one) and Burton (one) have recorded goals for O'Connell this season.

Other reserves that have played very well this season include sophomore defender Bridget Ripa and freshman goalkeeper Aly Pont.

The Knights were tested early by rival Paul VI (coached by Meg Ashley) in their most difficult game to date. The Panthers led the Knights 1-0 midway through the first half in the only contest that O'Connell has trailed in this year.

Junior captain Amanda Dabbenigno stepped up and scored two late first half goals, to give the "Royal Blue and Silver" a 2-1 halftime lead. The Lady Knights never looked back.

In addition to Dabbenigno, Arias and Kelly are the other Knight captains.

"Amanda is a hard worker. She was a sparkplug against PVI. She always gives 100 percent," said Starace.

"Natalie brings a lot of skill work to the middle of the field. She is very good one on one," he said.

"We've got a very experienced team with a strong work ethic. We're going to stay focused this season and take each team one game at a time," said Dabbenigno.

"Offensively, we've been working the ball around well. We're spreading the field. We know what our goals are and we're working hard to achieve them," said Puglisi.

"The girls have met my expectations thus far, but there's a long way to go. Good Counsel (2002 WCAC Runners-ups), Ireton (2001 WCAC Runners-ups) or Paul VI are three teams that we can't take lightly. This team has a good work ethic. We've got a long season ahead of us. We're playing well right now, but I'd still like us to be playing better," said Starace.