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.
Playoff soccer is suddenly right around the corner, and with the D.C. area’s top teams looking to close out the regular season on a high note, here are six players who got the job done in Week 8:
Luke Beglis, Senior, Defender, The Heights
The Heights has faced a gauntlet of local contenders throughout its busy regular-season schedule and has kept stacking wins. The undefeated Cavaliers have established themselves as the team to beat in the DMV, with impressive wins over Gonzaga, St. John’s, St. Albans and Churchill.
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Much of the team’s regular-season success is thanks to its dominant back line, led by Beglis at the centerback position. Coach Colin Gleason’s team has allowed just nine goals all season. Last week, Beglis helped The Heights take down both Gonzaga and St. John’s to move to a flawless 14-0.
“[Beglis] is the textbook defender. … He’s so good you don’t even notice him,” Gleason said. “He’s really solid out of the air, but he’ll also connect a 40-yard pass on the ground to a forward. …He’s been just dynamite.”
Lauren Cunningham, Senior, Goalkeeper, Magruder
Cunningham has been dominant in goal all season for the Magruder girls. In just nine games, the Stony Brook commit has racked up 44 saves and allowed just four goals, posting six clean sheets. Last week, she made 15 saves and allowed one goal as the Colonels took down Einstein and Richard Montgomery.
A cerebral talent, Cunningham has also experimented playing in the field for coach Nikki Prachar’s team. She scored hat tricks against Springbrook and Rockville, flashing her offensive prowess in addition to her defensive abilities.
Harper Lewis, Junior, Defender, Good Counsel
The Good Counsel girls scored big wins last week against Whitman, Bishop McNamara and Bishop O’Connell. Lewis, a starting center back, helped the Falcons to shutout victories over the Vikings and Mustangs. She was also a pivotal part of her team’s comeback win over the Knights — after conceding two early goals, Good Counsel’s defense held strong and its offense capitalized on two late chances to earn a 3-2 victory against one of the most potent offenses in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference.
“[Lewis] is lights out. … She basically led our defense throughout the second half,” coach Jim Bruno said. “We limited the amount of touches they had later in the game, and our defense rose to the occasion.”
Claire Radanovic, Senior, Midfield, Potomac School
The Potomac School girls, looking for their fifth straight Independent School League tournament title this fall, are surging with the playoffs around the corner. The Panthers are unbeaten in October and last week picked up a 4-2 road victory over Georgetown Day.
After the Panthers fell into an early 1-0 hole in the first 15 minutes, Radanovic’s stellar play in the midfield helped the offense find its groove in a four-goal outburst.
“Claire took over vocally, and her presence in the midfield changed the entire tone of the game,” coach Ross McEwen said. “Everything was positive, everything was smart with winning balls in the air. … She was a huge spark for our team.”
Brandon Reyes, Senior, Defender, Bowie
Hours before Bowie’s biggest regular-season game against county rival Parkdale, Bulldogs coach Frantz Deetjen assumed his team would have to play without one of its starting defenders — Reyes, nursing an ankle injury, was a gametime decision.
“I don’t miss games, Coach,” Reyes told Deetjen before the game.
Reyes got the start and was an invaluable part of the Bulldogs’ 2-0 upset win. The senior helped shut out a Parkdale offense that had scored at least four goals in each of its previous five matches.
“[Reyes] had two defining clearances when they were in on goal,” Deetjen said. “They had a breakaway down the right-hand side and he came in with a beautiful tackle. … Everyone was just gasping for air.”
Ade Sodeinde, Junior, Forward, St. Andrew’s
Sodeinde was the go-to offensive threat for St. Andrew’s last week against Bishop Ireton. In a 3-0 shutout win, the junior forward scored two goals to cap a strong week for coach Neill Ouska’s Lions.
St. Andrew’s picked up a comfortable 4-1 win over Maret earlier in the week. With the Mid-Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament right around the corner, Sodeinde and the Lions look to be real contenders.
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