After regaining its place as one of the state’s elite clubs last season, the Bishop Hendricken soccer team is back in action this fall and has jumped out to a 2-0 record, including getting a 1-0 win over rival La Salle on opening night.

The two teams were scoreless until Marcello Perretta broke things open in the 63rd minute to give the Hawks the edge which they would sustain the rest of the way while new keeper Angelo Roca finished with eight saves in net to secure the shutout.

Hendricken would turn around to take on Moses Brown in their second game and would erase and early deficit to come back and grab the 2-1 decision.

“In the beginning I was a little bit concerned since we have three kids that are injured. We played the injury fund game and looked pretty good, and when we played La Salle, it was so bloody hot. It came down to who wanted it more and the kids played really well and ran their hearts out,” said Hendricken coach Mickey Rooney. “Then a few days later against Moses Brown it was another gut wrenching game where who ever wanted it more would win. We’ve looked pretty good and will get better as the season goes on.”

The Hawks graduated nine seniors from last year’s team that returned to the playoffs and reached the semifinals. A key piece will be Roca, who has been stellar in net through the first two outings. Rooney has been impressed with his performance and credited the other keepers for creating a competitive environment each day.

“He’s done a nice job. We’re fortunate to have three or four good goalkeepers and after Angelo, there is a not a very big drop to the next ones. They’ve pushed Angelo and have kept him sharp. He can’t rest on his laurels, he needs to come to every game and practice and play his heart out because knows the guys behind him are pushing him. He’s done that and he’s turned it up,” said Rooney.

The Hawks faced Portsmouth on Wednesday and will take on perennial contender North Kingstown on Friday on the road. Division I will once again be a dogfight this season, and Rooney hopes the Hawks prepare themselves for the long haul and use last year’s run to their benefit.

“They saw what they had to do (to make a deep run) and the ones that are still here know what to expect. They’re confident. Portsmouth and North Kingstown will be good testers of where we really are. People don’t realize that Division I is a tough division to play in all the way through the season,” said Rooney. “You might have one or two games that are a little easier, but for the most part, they’re a fight to a death. What it comes down to at the end of the season is if you progress and perform. At the end of the season, sometimes it comes down to just a lucky bounce, a windy day, anybody can beat anybody.”