When playing Oaks Christian, expect the unexpected

KEN KAWAMOTO/Special to the Acorn OFF TO THE RACES—Oaks Christian's Katianna Tron, right, pushes the ball up the pitch. OCHS entered Wednesday's match against La Reina in full control of the top spot in the Tri-Valley League. For years, the Oaks Christian girls' soccer team has been known as one of the most dominant in Ventura County. Due to the squad's young roster and quick start this season, it looks like the Lions will carry that moniker a little longer.

After winning or sharing five CIFSouthern Section championships in the last six years, the Lions are once again playing like champions. They've earned victories in 13 of their first 14 games.

OCHS was 50 in the TriValley league entering Wednesday's home match against La Reina.

"This team has more youth than we've had in the past, but we're more skilled all the way around," Oaks Christian head coach Jan Hethcock said. "We have 19 players constantly pushing for starting jobs."

Of the 19 players on the OCHS roster, only five are seniors. In fact, more than half are sophomores and freshmen.

"When I first came up with the team, I was one of only two freshmen," senior Megan Schoppe said. "It was really intimidating because I didn't really know anyone.

"It's a little easier for the freshman this year because there are seven of them. They're all great friends with each other, so they're very comfortable. It's great having them all on the team, as every single one of them has contributed."

Hethcock said the team's depth creates many problems for opponents.

"The beauty of this team is that it never has the same lineup," Hethcock said. "I have the same amount of confidence, no matter who I have in the game.

"It's tough for opposing teams to scout us because they'll see they have to contain a couple players, and then when they play us, they'll notice those two players are at different positions. Sometimes, they won't even be in the starting lineup."

No matter what rotation Hethcock puts on the pitch, the team's top offensive weapon remains junior Kelly Johnson.

Johnson, who's already committed to play for Texas Christian University in the fall of 2010, had scored 13 goals entering Wednesday's contest.

Hethcock said Johnson has improved tremendously since her first year at OCHS.

"She's physically stronger now," Hethcock said. "She has a lot of moves, and you can't tell if she's left- or right-footed. She's learned some more moves that help her get out of trouble when she is double- or triple-teamed."

Other players contributing on offense for the Lions are sophomore midfielder Alexandra Courtnall and freshman midfielder Mandi Duncan, as well as senior sweeper Megan Conner and senior midfielder Schoppe.

Schoppe has committed to the University of Pacific, while Connor will be playing for the University of San Francisco next fall.

The offensive has been explosive and the defense hasn't been too shabby either.

"We have a lot of speed up top on defense, and players like Noe Salter, Marlo Smith and Lauren Lindstrom are great," Kelly Johnson said. "I wouldn't call us an offensive-minded team or a defensive-minded team, we're just good everywhere. There are no weak spots."

Hethcock has been impressed with the play of Smith and Lindstrom.

"Marlo is like a chicken without a head," Hethcock said. "She's our stopper, and during games she's all over the place. She does a good job putting pressure on the opponents' best offensive weapons.

"As far as (Lindstrom) goes, there's no better sweeper I've seen in league or our preseason games. Besides being fearless, she has great vision, a great knowledge of the sport and has lightning-quick speed. She's so strong of a kicker that she came real close to scoring a goal off the kickoff earlier this season," the coach said.

Guiding the defense at goalkeeper is Salter, a three-year starter. Salter, only the third goalie in the program's history, recently passed 2006 graduate Julia Humphries for most career saves at Oaks Christian. Salter will join Conner at the University of San Francisco.

Salter isn't the only one approaching a milestone. Entering Wednesday's game, Hethcock needed six more victories to reach 300 career wins. Hethcock's coaching career has included stints at Oaks Christian and San Diego-based Christian High.

Although Hethcock has enjoyed much soccer success, he claims it's not all about how many games the team wins.

"I hardly ever talk about wins and losses, especially when our team makes its goals at the beginning of the year," Hethcock said. "If we don't win another CIF championship it can still be a successful season.

"If you make a goal of going undefeated in league, and then you lose your first game, then where are you? My expectations are for the girls to improve in one area every single day of the year. This season, we've being doing that."