The Paul VI Lady Panthers, coached by Meg Ashley, currently have an overall record of 3-3-2, in the young soccer season.

"We finished .500 last season. We've got seven returning starters this year and we've got a nice combination of older and younger players," said Ashley.

The Panthers have defeated Urbana (Md.) 2-1, Holy Cross 4-3 and McNamara 3-1. Paul VI has tied Ireton 2-2. The Fairfax school has dropped two contests to O'Connell and one contest to McDonough.

One O'Connell loss and the McDonough loss, as well as the Urbana win, took place early in the season at the McDonough Tournament.

"We employ a variety of formations depending upon what the team we play dictates," said Ashley. In most cases, the starting defense consists of junior Nicole Westphal at goalkeeper, senior Jackie Mohay at sweeper, sophomore Caroline Neville at center back and junior Casey Bridges and sophomore Molly Kaye at outside defenders.

"I've improved since last year in being able to read the game better. It is important for us to communicate on defense in order to defend better," said Westphal.

"Defensively, we work hard at taking away the center of the field. We try to force the play to the outside and to clear the ball," said Ashley.

In most cases, the starting inside midfield consists of senior Kelly

Semko and junior Caroline Lamberti. The usual starting outside midfielders are senior co-captain Kelly Grant and junior Linsey Sledge.

"As midfielders, our job is to win the balls, control the ball and also help out on defense," said Lamberti.

Senior co-captain Allie Armellino starts on the attack virtually every game. The other rotation of possible starting forwards/strikers is generally chosen from sophomore Gena Freeman, junior Kelly Madigan (currently injured), sophomore Kellie McKeever or sophomore Meghan Schulze.

"As captains, Kelly Grant and myself have to look out for the younger girls. We always have to encourage and support them," said Armellino.

After seven games, the well-balanced Panther scoring parade is led by Freeman (three goals, one assist), Semko (two, two), Armellino (two, one), Sledge (two goals), McKeever (two goals), Grant (one, one), Bridges (one, one) and Newell (one goal).

"Offensively, we want to score goals. In order to do that - we take what the defense is giving us. If there is space to the outside, we use our speed. We want to put the ball into the goal area and to "crash and finish,"said.

Other key players for PVI this season include - juniors: Abby Clemen, Missy Lawrence, Colleen Oliver, Kristin Palmisano and Alyson Stern as well as sophomores Jordan McDonald and Mary Kate Newell.

Ashley, a former standout at George Mason University, has coached at PVI for 16 seasons. Early in her tenure she won the CGAA (Catholic Girls Athletic Association) title three times and has also finished as WCAC Runners-ups once. "We feel that our current record could be a little bit better. We want to improve with every game and we want to be able to peak at the end of the season," said Ashley.

The Panthers tied Good Counsel Sept. 27 1-1 and will host Potomac School Sept. 29. They visit St. Mary's Ryken on Sept. 30.