A work ethic that's second to none

Nathan Jasperse Through its first four games in the Marmonte League, the Thousand Oaks High boys' soccer team has struggled. Entering Wednesday night's matchup at home against Royal, the Lancers were 0-3-1 in league play.

The good news for Thousand Oaks, however, is that it's made the postseason the last seven years with backtoback CIF championships coming in 2004 and 2005.

If the Lancers do turn things around in the second half of the season, one can bet junior Nathan Jasperse will be a big part of it.

Jasperse was named to the AllMarmonte League second team last season and is the first junior captain in the program's history, according to 16-year TOHS head coach Mark Tietjen.

Although the Lancers haven't played up to par, Tietjen has been impressed with Jasperse's effort.

"He's basically the only one that comes out and gives it everything he has every day in practice," Tietjen said. "His work rate is unmatched. He's a very focused individual, and is very hardworking."

Jasperse said he gets his bluecollar work ethic from his father, Jeff.

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers CONTROL—TOHS junior Nathan Jasperse displays his footwork at a recent practice session. The Lancers have struggled early on. "Every time I come to the soccer field, I try to give 100 percent," Jasperse said.

"I got that from my dad. He never played soccer growing up, but I really take his advice to heart. He taught me that if you keep working hard, things will pay off for you in the long run."

Jasperse first competed in the sport while living in Virginia when he was 6.

"I had played some other sports like hockey and cross country, but I really liked the team aspect in soccer," Jasperse said. "I don't like being the only guy competing. You also don't need too many skills to learn how to play."

Soon after moving to Thousand Oaks when he was 8, Jasperse began enjoying soccer so much he started playing for the Simi Valley Eclipse Soccer Club.

After a two-year stint with the Eclipse, Jasperse decided to join the Eagles Soccer Club, where he first met Tietjen, who was the head coach.

"I had Tietjen for about three years on the club level, and he really emphasized working after practice on your game," Jasperse said. "It was definitely a little easier to play for him back then, because he wasn't as intense as he is with the high school team.

"He's always been a very good teacher, but we're here to get results now, and he makes sure we get them."

For TOHS to net better results, the Lancers need Jasperse's offense, which even he admitted must improve.

"It all starts with me," Jasperse said. "The defense really hasn't played bad; they're only giving up about a goal per game. It's been the offense. With me playing the midfield position, I need to start scoring goals. I think I've played well but not near my full potential.

"My philosophy is that you're always going to get at least one scoring chance a game. It's up to me to start taking advantage of it."

Jasperse said he models his own game after Juan Roman Riquelme of the Argentina National Team.

"I've always liked to watch (Riquelme) because it seems he's always in complete control," Jasperse said. "He's very cool under pressure, and I want to play the same way for my team."

Soccer isn't the only thing Jasperse puts a lot of time into.

Besides being a great player on the pitch, the 17-year-old also takes pride in church and his schoolwork, especially science. He's also becoming bilingual.

"One of the great things about my assistant coach, Luis Alcaraz, is that he offered to talk both Spanish and English to anyone during games," Tietjen said.

"To prove how smart Jasperse is, last season he had Alcaraz speak Spanish to him during games so he could learn the language."

Tietjen's opinion of Jasperse hasn't changed in seven years.

"Nathan is a great example of what an athlete should be, not only on the field, but off it as well," Tietjen said.

"He's the kind of player a coach just loves to have. He's not quite there yet, but he has the potential to be a great Division I college soccer player."