Oak Park seeks to set its own standard
The Oak Park High varsity boys soccer team went 13-4-2 last season, including a 6-2-0 record in Coastal Canyon League play. And for the standards they are setting, that wasn’t good enough. The Eagles want more than that. For starters,…
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Continue ReadingThe Oak Park High varsity boys soccer team went 13-4-2 last season, including a 6-2-0 record in Coastal Canyon League play. And for the standards they are setting, that wasn’t good enough.
The Eagles want more than that. For starters, a league title is something they want and last year’s record was not good enough to get that done as Moorpark claimed the league crown.
Now in his second year of coaching at his alma mater, head coach Brandon Heidt is trying to build a long-term legacy. The boys get to choose their own goals, but his objectives for them are very simple: score goals, earn shutouts, win trophies. Period.
So far, so good on the first two. Oak Park has 40 goals scored in 10 matches, and has only allowed six goals, including five clean sheets which almost matches last season’s total of seven.
The Eagles have gone 9-1-0 in their first 10 games, losing only to Crossroads, which is ranked in the Top 15 in the State, by a 2-0 scoreline.
As for the last objective, Wednesday night will go a long way towards determining that as the Eagles face perennial league-winner Moorpark. The two teams sit unbeaten in league so far in the early going.
“The potential on paper is there,” Heidt said about his team. “We return almost every single attacking player and all our younger players from last year are a year older and more mature, so we could be very good.”
Oak Park has a bunch of quality kids and quality players, and they play every game as if it is important because they are learning to win and they are taking more than just their league seriously as they are eyeballing a CIF playoff run. The Eagles will either be in Division I or II, which is to be determined by the Southern Section.
Here are 11 players that will go a long way in determining whether a trophy is lifted at this season’s end.
Cole Abbott, Senior, Forward
Abbott can play on either side. He’s diverse and versatile. What makes him stand out is his team-first mentality. He is the ultimate team player on top of being a guy that is willing to play anywhere.
Carson Casella, Freshman, Striker/Forward
Every season Oak Park chooses one freshman for varsity that earned a spot, and it was Casella this season. He is a confident player, who is not afraid to take people on. On top of being fearless and willing to challenge defenders, he is very technically sound.
Charles Chowana, Junior, Striker
Chowana is one of those strikers that when his confidence is high, the ball goes in. He has had plenty of confidence as he is just four goals away from equaling his total of 11 from last year. He is a very technically sound player who is good at banging in goals.
Ryan Chu, Senior, Keeper
The captain of the Eagles team is an important cog in this speeding wheel. He is a very strong player who sees play develop in front of him very well and he is completely bought into this team philosophy. He is a good leader and a player that tries to fire the team up.
Brooklyn Cox, Junior, Outside Defender
Cox is a left back who just makes things look very easy, whether he’s defending or pushing up. He’s very smooth on the ball, and he’s very calm when in possession.
Joel Cufi, Senior, Central Defender
Cufi seems very casual when you see him off the pitch, but get him on it and a switch goes on. He is an enforcer – he has the size, strength and speed you want from a center back. He holds the back line together and makes very good decisions.
Zack Harris, Senior, Attacking Midfielder
Harris is a very fine player, and is committed to play at the next level for California State Northridge. He is especially creative, and shows great vision. He sees the field so well that he can pull off something that nobody else had seen unfold. He likes a challenge and rises to the occasion when things seem difficult.
Rowan Heidt, Senior, Defensive Midfielder
Heidt is an incredible athlete. He leads by example as a senior should, putting in the work when nobody is watching. He is a very unselfish player. Heidt is the anchor for this team as he always makes the solid play in the midfield and makes good decisions.
Nate Kapitz, Junior, Forward
Kapitz is a player with a motor that never quits. He will only stop when directed as he gives 100 percent effort at all times. He is very dedicated the program and to getting better.
Ben Root, Senior, Outside Defender
Root plays outside back on the right side and is what you would call a gritty player. He grinds as hard as anyone, and he is not afraid of a challenge, whatever might come his way on the pitch.
Evan Ziglari, Sophomore, Defensive Midfielder
Ziglari pairs with Heidt in a system with two No. 6’s, and the pairing works perfectly in the Eagles 3-5-2 system which demands a lot of the holding mid. He played varsity as a freshman and is incredibly seasoned and able. He is very talented and will be one to watch for the future, and he is very versatile.