This story is part of The Washington Sun’s All-DMV coverage. All-DMV is a new collaboration between The Sun, Fox 5 DC, NBC4 Washington and WTOP News, aimed at covering the D.C. area’s best high school athletes. You can find past players of the week and more information about All-DMV here.
With temperatures beginning to drop, it’s starting to feel like playoff soccer weather in the D.C. area. As the postseason inches closer, these six local standouts have stepped up:
Benji Kurtzig, Senior, Forward, Washington International
Kurtzig scored a hat trick in Washington International’s 5-1 win over Spencerville Adventist last week. He netted two penalty kicks and also scored on an impressive free kick from more than 30 yards out. Following the graduation of forward Brown Huffard, who tallied 40 goals and 40 assists en route to first team All-Met and D.C. Gatorade Player of the Year honors last season, Kurtzig has helped fill the offensive void left in Huffard’s absence. The senior is the second-leading goal scorer on his team and leads the Red Devils in assists.
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“He’s a tremendously technical player when it comes to his first touch and his body control, whether it be with his head, his chest or his feet,” Washington International coach Andrew Sopher said. “Everyone knows it’s hard to replace a 40-goal scorer, but he’s doing everything in his power offensively to help us score goals.”
Joel Mbi, Senior, Forward, Paint Branch
Mbi was the focal point of a Paint Branch boys’ team that scored a 4-2 win over Maryland 4A heavyweight Churchill last week. The senior striker scored a hat trick in the upset victory, pushing his tally to 19 total goals this season. Under coach David Obeng-Darko, the Panthers have risen from a middling Montgomery County squad to one of the most dangerous teams in the area.
“You see the players look up to [Mbi],” Obeng-Darko said. “If Joel comes into the game and says ‘Hey guys, I’m playing today, follow me,’ everyone will follow him … he carries that much, as the kids would say, aura.’”
Cami McIntosh, Freshman, Forward, Bishop O’Connell
McIntosh has already emerged as a top scoring threat in her first season for the O’Connell girls. The freshman is already up to 17 goals and eight assists on the year, including four goals and an assist last week in a win over Bishop McNamara. She added a penalty kick goal in a draw against fellow WCAC contenders St. John’s.
“She’s a standout every game,” coach Alberto Starace said. “If she’s not scoring, she’s assisting or she’s creating problems for other teams because of her speed, her aggressiveness or just the tactical aspect of the game.”
Noor Neama, Senior, Forward, Churchill
Neama has been on a scoring tear for the Churchill girls, who recently clinched their division title with a win over Walter Johnson. Neama netted the game-sealing goal in that victory, and last week scored hat tricks in lopsided wins over Damascus and Paint Branch. The senior is up to a team-high 13 goals on the season.
“She can read the game really well, and I think that’s what makes her so dangerous,” Churchill coach Haroot Hakopian said. “She understands high-level soccer and sometimes sees things before they develop, which makes her such a dangerous scorer.”
Emma Pryor, Sophomore, Forward/Goalkeeper, Bullis
Pryor is one of several standouts for the Bullis girls, who have their eyes on an Independent School League A division title this season. She led her team to a key overtime win against St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes last week, scoring a penalty kick goal in regular time and providing the game-winning assist in overtime. The do-it-all sophomore also spends time in goal for the Bulldogs.
“[Pryor] always makes a difference, always changes the game,” Bullis coach Dejan Lunova said. “She understands even as a goalie how to move and how to play. … She’s a very important player.”
Javier Vila, Senior, Midfield, Georgetown Prep
Vila has been a consistent offensive threat this season for Georgetown Prep. Last week, the senior scored his team’s lone goal in a 1-1 draw against St. Albans, then exploded for a hat trick in a 4-2 victory over Episcopal. Vila also added an assist in the win.
With wins over St. Albans, Landon and Gonzaga under their belts, the Hoyas look like top contenders in the race for the Interstate Athletic Conference crown.
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