Westlake’s goal: Win with what you’ve got
Warriors look for victories despite loss of key players
By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers IN COMPLETE CONTROL—Westlake player Tate Kaplan controls the ball during a recent Warrior practice.

After three consecutive seasons with 10 wins or more, the Westlake boys’ soccer team will look to continue its winning ways this season, no matter who starts.

The Warriors have started the year at 4-4-1 and 1-2 in league play, but they expect to improve. The team has lost some players due to eligibility, injury or transfer. Others aren’t eligible for varsity competition.

“One thing that has frustrated me this season is that we haven’t had our best team out on the field yet,” said Westlake head coach Bill Propster. “What’s more frustrating is some of these kids did it to themselves.”

One of the costliest injuries was to Connor Burke. According to Propster, Burke is likely to be out another three weeks with a torn calf. Burke was playing well before his injury, scoring one goal and having two assists in just two games.

Although many players are out, others have stepped up their games. Spencer Kelley returns for his senior year, his fourth season on the varsity. Kelley has been a workhorse for the Warriors, playing every minute of every game the last three years, except for the semifinal game last season when he was physically unable to take the field.

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers TO BE RECKONED WITH—Four-year varsity returnee Spencer Kelley says he doesn’t “want to get pushed around on the field anymore.” The senior spent a lot of time this summer hitting the gym to build strength. Westlake head coach Bill Propster says Kelley’s play inspires others on the team.

“People tell me that he’s their favorite player they like to watch on our team,” Propster said. “He’s like the Energizer Bunny the way he works. I think you need guys like that on your team, and his play inspires the others.”

Kelley spent much of his time in the off-season retooling his game to be more of a factor in the Westlake lineup.

“I spent a lot of time this summer hitting the gym and trying to get much stronger,” Kelley said. “I don’t want to get pushed around on the field anymore.”

Another player who could be the Warriors’ leading goal scorer is senior Brett Berman. Propster called Berman his most dangerous player, and this year the coach has tried to make his star even more lethal by moving him from his midfield spot to the forward position.

“Last year we had many players that could score goals at any time during the game,” Propster said. “This year we don’t have that same kind of luxury, but Brett is definitely one possibility.”

So far the switch has paid off for WHS with Berman scoring four goals and assisting on three others in five games.

“Last year we had a lot of players on good club teams,” Berman said. “This season I think instead we have more players that have more heart and more fight in them. It seems as if everyone is not playing as individuals this year; everyone knows their role.”

Behind the net in goal, the Warriors have two worthy candidates to lead the defense. They are juniors Max Susa and Jordan Mannisto. This duo has given Propster the option of having Mannisto also play outside the net for the Warriors, where he’s already scored two goals.

“Both of them (Susa and Mannisto) are very, very good behind the net,” Propster said. “Normally I have one guy play the first half and the other guy plays the second half, but Jordan has been an aggressive scorer as well. He’s strong and fast, and knows what to do with the ball.”

Although Propster said he’s impressed with the positive attitude the team has shown early on, he believes there’s much to be done if they want to win the league championship.

“We have to have fewer breakdowns mentally,” Propster said. “Against Agoura last week, we were up 2-0, and then in a seven-minute span we had two breakdowns and one red card, and all of a sudden we are losing 32. We can’t have that happen.”

Kelley agreed with Propster in that the team needs to do a better job finishing their opponents.

“We seem to be doing a good job controlling games, but we can’t finish well and put teams away,” Kelley said. “I think the game we lost to Sylmar was a big wakeup call for us. Everything was very disorganized in that game. We then came back and beat Newbury Park 3-1, so it’s getting better.”

Kelley said that even though club soccer features better competition, he prefers high school play because of its heated rivalries.

“High school is very serious to me,” Kelley said. “Every game is heated, and it’s nice because we get to play every team twice. I think Royal will be a tough team to beat this year, as well as Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park.

“I think we are a very good team as well. The league championship is our biggest goal. We need to worry about ourselves first, and the rest will take care of itself.”

Westlake will face St. Francis and Rio Mesa Fri., Dec. 29 in the Buena Tournament.