Both the Paul VI Panthers and the Bishop O'Connell Knights boys soccer teams expect big results in 2004.

So far this season, PVI weighs in with an overall record of 2-1. The "Black and Gold", coached by Enzo Aldunate (second season), have defeated Bishop McNamara 2-0 and O'Connell 4-2. The Panthers lost to Bishop Ireton 1-0 on Sept. 21.

"We graduated nine or 10 starters from last season's team, so I am very pleased where we are right now," said Aldunate.

In an intense early season match up, the Panthers gave the Knights their first loss of the season Sept. 14, in Arlington). Sophomore striker Donald Hart put the visitors ahead 1-0 before O'Connell senior striker Mike Fitchko added two goals in a five minute span midway through the first half to catapult the Knights to a 2-1 advantage.

Late in the first half, Hart recorded another impressive goal. The sophomore blistered a shot into the back of the net and the teams were deadlocked at two apiece at intermission.

"The midfield has been doing a real good job of feeding me some good balls this year," said Hart, who played midfield all of last season on the JV squad.

In a rain soaked second half, both teams took one corner kick apiece in the early stages. Neither team was able to get off a quality shot.

With 23 minutes remaining in the contest, O'Connell's Luis Zavala took a long direct kick that Paul VI senior goalkeeper Jonathan Kodadek punched out.

One minute later, PVI freshman Henry Montano knocked in a looping shot from 30 yards out that sailed over the O'Connell goalkeeper's head and amounted to the decisive goal of the contest.

"I am very glad that Henry and all of our younger guys have been doing as well as they have been doing. Henry's goal against McNamara and his goal against O'Connell amounted to the winning goal during both of those games," said Aldunate.

Late in the contest, Hart recorded an impressive "hat trick" by notching another goal to account for the final margin of 4-2. After two games, Hart has four goals and Montano has two.

In addition to Kodadek, the Panther defense is led by: senior "stopper" Mike Armellino, junior "sweeper" Patrick Ferraris, junior defender Shane Zavala and sophomore defender Brandon Dell.

The PVI interior midfield is led by: junior Steven Brooks and sophomore Kevin Kodadek; whereas the exterior midfield is led by: freshman Alex Soto and freshman Mike Platt.

Hart and Montano are currently one of the youngest and one of the most potent striker combinations in the metropolitan area.

Armellino and Brooks are the Panther '04 captains.

"Mike (Armellino) is very aggressive. He has a strong leg. He's not afraid to get physical and he is able to place the ball with great accuracy," said Aldunate.

"As a stopper it is imperative to be ready for anything and really stay on your toes. One must be ready to adapt and know when to go after the ball," said Armellino.

"One of our goals this season is to be ranked in the Washington Post Top 10 Poll. In order to do that, we need to play together and we need to pass the ball real well," said Brooks.

"It is realistic that we can win the WCAC South Division [PVI, O'Connell, Ireton, McNamara and St. Mary's Ryken] and seriously contend for the WCAC championship this season," said Aldunate.

Last year, PVI won the WCAC South Title before losing to Gonzaga in the WCAC quarterfinals.

Despite the loss to PVI, O'Connell weighs in with an overall record of 1-1-2 in the young season. The "Royal Blue and Silver", coached by Chuck LaPorte (second season) tied Ireton (0-0), and defeated St. Mary's Ryken 4-2. The Knights lost to Georgetown Prep 4-0 on Sept. 21.

"We're building a program here at O'Connell, but we're not quite there yet. Each game that we play we're learning another thing that we need to work on," said LaPorte.

Senior striker Mike Fitchko scored both goals against the Panthers in the Knights lone loss of the season.

"Alex Jones assisted on both of the goals," said Fitchko.

In the Ryken contest, both schools were nicknamed the Knights, but it was the Knights from Arlington that prevailed.

Leading O'Connell versus the St. Mary's Ryken were sophomore striker Tom St. George (three goals, which included two penalty kicks) and junior midfielder Alex Jones (one goal).

"Every game this season will give me a new picture of where we are as a team," said LaPorte.

Spearheading the O'Connell defense in 2004 is senior goalkeeper Bryan Benedict, senior "sweeper" Ryan Frick, junior "stopper" Luis Zavala, senior defender Ben Hayden and junior defender Patrick Manion.

"We've really come together as a team this year. Everybody has gotten to know one another. Playing midfield involves a lot of mental work and also a great amount of fitness," said Renner.

"Things are moving in the right direction. We had a rebuilding season in 2003. This year we're going to do our best to have a winning season," said Fitchko.

"Defenders Ryan Frick and Ben Hayden are our acting captains this season," said coach LaPorte.

"Ryan is very strong fundamentally. He is also our brains on the field. Ben is kind of our enforcer. He gets all of the players together and he keeps them straight," said the second-year coach.

"It is the captain’s responsibility to lead the guys on and off the field and to motivate all of the players," said Hayden.

"The guys that aren't getting a lot of minutes, will hopefully continue to work hard in practice," said LaPorte.

"Our next few games will show where we are. I am looking forward to playing Georgetown Prep. A realistic goal this season is to finish .500 or perhaps better than .500."