Marmonte League strong from top to bottom
Agoura, Thousand Oaks considered frontrunners in race for girls' soccer championship
By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers BATTLE FOR THE BALL- Westlake High sophomore Sara Riazi, right, races to get ahead of the ball as Newbury Park's Chelsea DeNova attempts to keep control and advance down the pitch.

With the winter season now upon us, temperatures in the area have been dropping. On the other hand, the Marmonte League girls' soccer race is just heating up.

Leading the pack is Agoura High, who is 7-0 overall and 3-0 in the Marmonte League. The Chargers' league wins have come against Westlake, Newbury Park and Simi Valley. After AHS defeated Simi Valley 3-1 last week at home, Pioneers head coach Mark Johnson had high praise for Agoura.

"They're undefeated in our league for a reason," Johnson said. "They're fast and very skillful. I've been coaching for 30 years, and that's one of the best teams I've seen."

With nine seniors on the roster, Agoura is an experienced group. The Chargers are led by Megan Caunan, Kristin Brabart and Kendall Dreyer.

Charger head coach Mike Skene said he decided to install a "flat-back-four" defense this year because of his numerous seniors.

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers SKILLS- Newbury Park's Jordan Zander takes a shot on goal during a Marmonte League match last week against Westlake.

The flatbackfour system offers more defensive and attacking versatility, similar to a zone defense.

"We have many seniors that are college-bound, and in college that's the format most of the programs use," Skene said. "Another reason I went with the flatbackfour is because it's less tiring than having a sweeper and a stopper."

Although the Charger seniors have performed well, they're not alone. AHS has already seen a glimpse of the future, with three freshmen contributing early on.

Agoura's Emily Kenney scored a goal against Simi Valley, while newcomers Jessica Ramirez and goalkeeper Gina Goryoka have made an impact, too.

According to Skene, juniors Taryn Kurcz and Michelle Manning, along with sophomore Brittany Held and assistant coach Kathi Stewart, have helped Agoura get off to a fast start.

Thousand Oaks High is also undefeated in league. The Lancers (2-0), who have defeated Moorpark and Westlake, are one of the best defensive teams in the area with seniors Nicole Cruz, Jennifer Jones, Olivia Geckle and Emily Geckle in the backfield.

Three-year starter and last season's Marmonte League Goalkeeper of the Year, Laura Brain, is once again working the cage.

Offensively, TOHS features weapons such as senior Rachel Morris, juniors Mary Maden and Sam Rivera, along with sophomore Michelle Cruz.

Royal High is also undefeated in league play- although they've played only one game- a 2-0 win over Calabasas High last week. Kristin Cameron scored both goals for the Highlanders.

Newbury Park is 2-1 in league play, with its wins coming over Calabasas and Westlake. Margot Valenzuela scored two goals for the Panthers in their victory over the Warriors at home last week.

Moorpark High is 1-1 in league, with its win coming against Simi Valley. The Musketeers are led by UC Berkeleybound Kaitlin Paletta. Seniors Jessica Dingman, Andria Jackson and goalkeeper Miranda Rodriquez have contributed for Moorpark.

Westlake was a force last year but they've struggled early this season, as evidence by a 0-3 league record. WHS is very young, with only four seniors and five juniors on the 22-girl roster.

"We've lost a couple games on some soft goals that we normally wouldn't have given up in the past," Westlake head coach Frank Marino said.

"We don't have as many bigname players this year, but I am pleased with our effort. We're in every game; we just haven't been able to pull out a win yet."

Leading the Warriors' attack are sophomores Nicole Gilbert, Sara Riazi and Andrea Todak. Senior Kirsten DiPippo plays centermidfield. Senior Krystin Shanklin and junior Jaclyn Jacobson contribute on defense, while freshman goalkeeper Alexandria Altman has done a fine job in her first season, the coach said.

"Overall, I've been pretty pleased with the defense," Marino said. "Most of the goals we've given up have come on free kicks and corner kicks. Hopefully our team can get it together after the winter break and win some games to get back in the race."

Calabasas had a promising preseason, winning two games and tying in three others. Once league play began, however, the Coyotes' winning ways disappeared. CHS, who's 0-2-1 in league, is still showing progress, according to second-year coach Katie Maxwell.

"Every game we play in now is a fight," Maxwell said. "There's more composure this year, and the girls go into every game knowing they're going to give their opponent a run-for-its-money. Last year we got blown out in a 7-0 loss to Royal. This year we only lost 2-0 to them, and we played well all game."

Calabasas is led by captains Jaclyn Gersh and Jen Hager. Hager is coming back from a knee injury that sidelined her last season. Brooke Stephens, who Maxwell called the spark of the team, has contributed at the center-midfielder position. Freshmen Rose Potts and Lauren Busansky, along with sophomore Meghan Kahane, have made an impact as well.

Simi Valley remains an outside force. The Pioneers are 0-2-1 in league and have received stellar play from seniors Jackie Anglin and Tawney Skultety.