Growing pains are as much a part of the high school experience as cramming for algebra tests, choosing a prom date or getting picked up by mom and dad while the older kids peel out in the school parking lot.

And right about now the Newbury Park boys’ soccer team—which features three freshmen in its starting lineup—is getting a painful lesson on exactly where they rank on the totem pole in a league that features four of the top five rated teams in Ventura County.

Yet while their results have been disappointing thus far, watching the Panthers (1-11-3, 0-7-2 in the Marmonte League) smile and crack jokes during practice warmups, onlookers might get the illusion that this crop of youngsters currently sits atop the league standings, rather than being mired in the basement.

"Maybe it’s our turn to take one on the chin," assistant coach Brian Collens said. "But in a few years down the road, we’ll be one of those teams that’s winning more games than it’s losing and competing for a Marmonte League championship."

One of the reasons for the coaching staff’s optimistic outlook is due in large part to the play of freshmen Alex McKay, Brian Holtby and David Matic––all of whom have been starters since day one of the season.

"These guys have taken the time to develop their skills, where a lot of other players haven’t," head coach Guy Sanford said of his trio of freshmen. "From the day the season began, they were starters and that’s basically because of the way they can see the field. They just see the game differently than a lot of other guys."

While none of the three has scored a goal since league play started over a month ago, Matic has two assists to his credit and Holtby has recorded one.

"It’s been frustrating losing," Matic said, "but I’ve learned a lot and hope to get better in the following years. We should have a good team in the future."

Even though the idea of building for next year sounds good in theory, Newbury Park coaches realize that they owe it to the current crop of upperclassmen to put the best product on the field with each passing game. After all, for the older players––including the seven seniors on the Panthers’ roster––the future is now.

One of the seniors who’s having an outstanding season is forward Luis Trueba, Newbury Park’s leading scorer on the year with 10 goals, four of which have come in Marmonte contests. Trueba’s done much of his damage against opposing defenses often designed to limit his looks at the net.

"Right now it’s hard because we’ve been playing so many teams that are good like (Thousand Oaks), Westlake and Agoura," Trueba said. "All of those teams are tough. . . but we’re still going to try to win every game."

Westlake is currently rated No. 1 in Ventura County, followed by Royal at No. 2; Thousand Oaks is rated third and Calabasas ranks fifth.

With the CIF playoffs realistically beyond reach, Sanford said the Panthers want to finish the season strong in hopes of accumulating momentum heading into the offseason.

Then, perhaps, they can parlay those positive feelings into confidence, which will make the transition from growing pains to victory lane well worth the wait.

"Next year and the following year you’ll see us move up the league—as far as standings go—fairly quickly," Sanford said. "I don’t think it’s going to take much time at all because of the underclassmen that we have and the growth that’s there. . .and the possibilities. In the next few years, we’ll be at the top again."

They’ve just got to pay their dues first.