This story is part of The Washington Sun’s All-DMV coverage. All-DMV is a new collaboration between The Sun, Fox5 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.
From highlight-reel goals to shutout defensive performances, a new crew of standout athletes poured in memorable outings on the soccer field. Here’s who earned All-DMV Player of the Week for boys’ and girls’ soccer:
Victoria Fenzel, Junior, Forward, Quince Orchard
Fenzel carried the offensive load for the Cougars last week in a 2-0 win over Wootton, as the junior forward scored both of her team’s goals in the victory. Her first goal was a simple tap-in. Her second, a right-footed boot that curved from right to left and nestled into the top corner of the net, was one of the best goals that Quince Orchard coach Peg Keiller has ever seen.
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“As soon as she hit that ball I was like, ‘That’s going to curve in, and there’s nothing that anybody could do about it,’” Keiller said with a laugh. “That’s one thing that we’ve been trying to get her to do is take more chances, and she’s got a nice shot.”
The jaw-dropping goal was Fenzel’s sixth in her first seven games.
Franklin Fuentes, Senior, Midfielder, Northwestern
Fuentes was the hero for Northwestern in its 3-2 overtime victory over county foe DuVal last week. The senior scored two goals, including the game-winner in overtime, as the Wildcats earned their fifth victory of the season.
“We were all hyped,” Northwestern coach Victor Ramirez said. “Everybody ran onto the field and congratulated each other. … It was a hard-fought match, and we were fortunate to be able to capitalize on that opportunity.”
Ivan Ojaruega, Freshman, Forward, Banneker
Banneker earned a program-defining win last week thanks to the left foot of Ojaruega. The Bulldogs toppled Jackson-Reed, the perennial power and top seed of the DCIAA, in what coach Samer Atawneh called an “emotional and historic moment” for Banneker.
Ojaruega scored the lone goal in the 1-0 victory. He also added an assist in a 2-0 win over Cardozo earlier in the week. In Banneker’s first six games of the season, the crafty freshman has recorded two goals and four total assists.
Ziggy Powell-Moran, Senior, Goalkeeper, Whitman
The Vikings have played one of the most treacherous schedules in the DMV so far this season, and Powell-Moran has performed admirably in goal for coach Dave Greene’s team. Despite facing the likes of WCAC heavyweights Gonzaga and St. John’s, as well as several county powerhouses, Whitman has conceded just three goals.
Last week, Powell-Moran helped the Vikings to shutout victories over Bethesda-Chevy Chase and previously undefeated Clarksburg.
“I think he brings a level of comfort for the people in front of him,” Greene said. “He certainly can make saves, he’s aggressive, he knows what he’s doing. … I think he, along with the back four, have a good connection.”
Ella Sanai, Senior, Forward, Holton-Arms
Sanai has been on a heater for Holton-Arms, one of the favorites in the Independent School League. The senior forward logged seven goals and two assists in the Panthers’ last two ISL matchups against Georgetown Day and Sidwell Friends.
The latest, a 3-1 victory over the Quakers, capped a five-game September winning streak for coach Dook Kooistra’s team.
Claire Yonly, Senior, Defender, Bethesda-Chevy Chase
Yonly, a senior captain for the Barons, made her mark in a rivalry win over Whitman last week in the annual “Battle of Bethesda.” A defensive player who can also flash her offensive prowess, the Emory commit scored two goals on offense and helped pitch a shutout on defense in an eventual 4-0 win over the Vikings.
“She’s playing lights-out soccer,” coach Travis Woodruff said. “She gets to every tackle first, she outplays players that are much bigger and stronger than her, and she can shoot from 25-30 yards out.”
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