pvi soccer

PVI Loses to Gonzaga in Championship Game

By David Steinbacher
Special to the HERALD
(From the Issue of 11/9/06)

The Paul VI boys’ soccer team finished as 2006 WCAC runners-ups to powerhouse Gonzaga. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 4-1 on Nov. 5 at Catholic University as the second game of a girls/boys doubleheader.
Gonzaga senior Kieran Rice put the Eagles ahead 1-0, but Paul VI's Brandon Dell tied the contest late in the first half off a corner kick by the Panther’s Dominic DaCruz.
"We were a little bit nervous to start the game, but we did our best and we stayed positive," said Panther captain and leading scorer Donald Hart.
In the second half, the Eagles converted on three separate scoring opportunities to prevail.
Despite the loss, it was an excellent season by Paul VI, which advanced to the final game for the first time in recent memory.
PVI first-year head coach Jeff Stevens (second overall "stint" at the school) led his squad to a 2-1 WCAC semi-final win versus arch-rival O'Connell Nov. 3 and a 4-3 (overtime) quarter-final win versus St. Mary's Ryken.
Gonzaga’s second-year head coach Scott Waller said, "Coach Stevens has done a great job with that program. Not only that, he is really a great guy."
In the semi-final win versus the Knights, the final win on the Panthers home field this season, PVI’s Hart tallied the first goal number one (20 minutes or so into the first half).
The decisive goal of the match was tallied by Panther sophomore Benen O'Brien (35 minutes or so into the first half).
"Donald Hart assisted on the goal,” O’Brien said. “Two or three O'Connell guys closed on Donald. He then played it over their defensive line. I hit it right footed and lobbed it over their keeper as he was trying to cut down the angle."
Panther junior goalkeeper Joe Clarke turned in a number of excellent saves for PVI versus O'Connell.
In the 4-3 (overtime) quarter-final win versus St. Mary's Ryken, junior midfielder Mike Platt scored three goals for the "Black and Gold" - including the game winner.
On the "golden goal" by Platt, Hart tallied the assist. Regarding the successful 2006 season, Hart led the Panthers offensively with 17 goals/six assists.