It’s not just the 9-2 overall record that has Opelousas Catholic girls’ soccer coach Chuck Soileau excited so far about this season.

The Vikings have certainly scored their share of goals. Most importantly however, Soileau said he is encouraged by the way his team has played impressively on defense, a statistic that is supported by the numbers.

OC has shut out the opponent in every victory, something which has provided the Vikings with the best current record among St. Landry Parish girls’ soccer teams.

This season started by blanking Opelousas High (4-0), Pineville (6-0) and the Academy of the Sacred Heart (1-0).

Afterward came OC’s shutout wins over Beau Chene (2-0), Delta Charter (3-0), Grant (7-0), Woodlawn-Baton Rouge (6-0), Plaquemine (6-0) and Catholic Point Coupee (6-0) last Saturday at Clark Field in Lafayette.

Overall the Vikings have won the last six games, heading into this week’s trio of competitions.

OC’s performance has also been reflected in experience. Eight of the Vikings’ key players are either seniors or juniors.

Defensively Soileau likes to stack his players four deep in front of senior goalkeeper Lauren Miller, an alignment he calls “the wall.”

“When you have as many shutouts as we have, you have to have a good keeper, and Lauren has really played well again this season,” Soileau said.

Even in the Vikings’ two defeats against Cecilia and Benton, the Vikings allowed only a cumulative three goals.

Playing in front of Miller are senior defenders Savannah Hidalgo and Anne Marie Bihm, sophomore Mary Collins, and junior Sarah Ortego.

In the midfield is senior Emery Hammond and junior Chloe Jarrell.

Also in the midfield are three sophomores, Katie Wagley, Lexie Fontenot and Sahvana Bourque.

Attacking at forwards are junior Adeline Sylvester and freshman Ivory Luna.

Sylvester, who established a scoring presence last season, has a team-leading 17 goals. Hammond has created another 12 goals from the midfield position.

What has helped the Vikings this season defensively, Soileau said, is the defenders’ ability to score goals.

Collins has scored seven times.

Soileau said in addition to the overall record and the defensive efforts, he is also impressed by the effort the Vikings have exhibited.

“These girls are amazing. For having what I feel is still a young team, what I didn’t expect is how hard the girls play.

“They have also proven to be so unselfish. We have had seven different scorers in our games,” said Soileau.

Initially Soileau thought his team might reach .500 at this point, but he said their attitudes have allowed them to go beyond that.

“They have come out and never let up in any of the games they have played. I just can’t say enough about the overall efforts that they have given,” said Soileau.