Oak Park boys make history, aiming for more

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Oak Park High boys soccer team did something no team has done in nearly 30 years, and that is becoming the first team since 1996 to win back-to-back Coastal Canyon League titles. They also have not lost a home game since January of 2020 after a 3-1 win over Camarillo on Wednesday moved the streak to four years long. [player_tooltip player_id='146099' first='Tyler' last='Cash'] scored two goals, Miles Johnson had one and Nate Kapitz had two assists. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles have a motto... Score goals, earn shutouts, win trophies. Check, check and check. They scored 58 goals in 15 games (they had 29 goals and allowed just eight in league play), they kept five clean sheets and now have another trophy in the trophy case.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But they hope they aren't done. The attention will now turn to the Southern Section playoffs and look to earn another trophy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In order to achieve this goal, Oak Park is looking for an alignment of goals and trying to get consistency with a group that is extremely talented.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"From top down, this is the most technical group we've ever had," Oak Park coach Brandon Heidt said. "We have players with great pedigree and now it's about individuals stepping up and embracing the challenge."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What this team has in spades is playing for each other, making it all about the team and not about the individual. They are showing resilience and embracing the next man up mentality.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"It's a pretty amazing group," Heidt said. "They are amazing in the fashion that it's become a group where everyone is selling out for one another."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They also have moment after moment where they show the talent on this team is limitless. With a talented roster, it's hard to narrow it down, but here are seven players that are really standing out for Oak Park. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carson Casella, Forward, Class of 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Casella is a player coming into his own and is a sophomore that has earned a starting job. He has great work rate, shows great strength and is also good technically. He's clean on the ball, calm on the ball and also defends well out wide. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='146099' first='Tyler' last='Cash'], Striker, Class of 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cash is a consistent player in terms of the effort that he produces. Cash has a drive and focus that many players don't have. With good size and speed, Cash is a great scorer and is great at setting up teammates as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Charles Chowana, Striker, Class of 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chowana has 10 or more goals the last two seasons, and is just one short of that this year. He is the model of consistency. He is an athletic and versatile striker who can score in bunches. He has a fluid style of play that allows him to adapt quickly. He also has a great work rate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miles Johnson, Midfielder, Class of 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson is a kid that just loves to play. He challenges himself to be as good as he can. He has great ability to keep play alive when it appears over. He is a small but fierce player, who is a hard-working engine and makes everyone better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nate Kapitz, Forward, Class of 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kapitz is a locker room leader and a complete team player. He will work until he is ready to drop and does it all for the benefit of the team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='33278' first='Tamir' last='Ratoviz'], Midfielder, Class of 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ratoviz is an incredibly talented player. He is an LAFC Academy player and is committed to play at UCLA. He can take people on with pace, and has the power to keep people off of him. He plays with a great calmness and displays great vision. He's the type of player that could be a next level player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Evan Ziglari, Defensive Midfielder, Class of 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ziglari is as solid as a No. 6 as it gets. The junior holds down the midfield and is great at connecting the back line to the attack. Ziglari is the pieced that is needed in that holding spot in the midfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->