Calabasas boys lose, 2-1, to Lancers after fast start

MICHAEL COONS/The Acorn HUSTLE WITH MUSCLE--Marcus Mulik of Thousand Oaks and Ben Van Der Fluit of Calabasas fight for the ball during Friday's game at Thousand Oaks. The Lancers won in a squeaker, 2-1.

The Calabasas boys’ soccer team lost to Thousand Oaks, 2-1, in a Marmonte League contest last Friday at TOHS. Alex Rosenblum scored a first-half goal to tie the score at one, but the Lancers scored again before halftime to go ahead for good.

The loss dropped the Coyotes to 6-4-4 overall and it was their first loss in league where they’re 2-1-1 beginning this week’s play. Calabasas was to host Simi Valley yesterday and then travel to Westlake to take on the Warriors at 5 p.m. tomorrow. The Simi Valley matchup was the first home game of the season for Calabasas.

The Coyotes have fought through injuries this season and because of that, head coach John Reich said his team has lacked the depth it enjoyed in previous years.

"It’s been an interesting season," Reich said. "We started the season with three ties, basically because we’re not that deep this year. We’ve had tons of injuries, so whatever depth we thought we had going in, has been gone."

MICHAEL COONS/The Acorn USING THEIR HEADS--Josh Leon of Calabasas tries to beat Brian Siu of T.O. to a header during last Friday's soccer game.

Among those fighting the injury bug have been senior goalie Mike Rudow, who came back Jan. 1, Rosenblum, a senior striker who’s battled ankle and knee problems after an incredible football season, and senior midfielder Nick Reder, who continues to be hampered by a bad hamstring.

Included in the defeats, the Coyotes have lost twice to Thousand Oaks, the first time a loss in the non-league Buena Tournament, once to El Camino and once to Millikan. So all four losses have come against very respectable opponents.

The wins this year have come vs. Westlake, Oak Park, Cabrillo, St. Bonaventure, Newbury Park and Moorpark.

Reich said his players are enthused by the challenge of playing in the Marmonte League now, after having dominated the less competitive Frontier League prior to this season.

"The big transition is to go from the small league to the Marmonte League," Reich said. "We’re satisfied that we’re competitive in the league, but it really depends on who we have on the field, and if we can just get everyone healthy."

There’s still room for improvement as the Marmonte League season continues.

"I think the kids are hungry," Reich said. "They want to prove that they can play at this level. It’s an outstanding league. There are really no weak sisters. You can’t take anyone for granted. It’s a challenge they’ve been talking about for a year. They really want to win league and really want to make a good showing in the first year."

Rosenblum compared the different states of conditioning a player must have to play football and soccer.

"In football, you have time in between plays where you can just relax for a second," Rosenblum said. "But in soccer you can’t do that. The second that you’re caught on your heels, something bad is going to happen."

Rosenblum agreed with Reich that the Coyote players are ready for the switch to the tougher league.

"In this league everybody’s got a shot to win, there’s not just two good teams," Rosenblum said. "It’s more of a toss up for the league championship than it was in the Frontier League. I think most of us felt that we belonged in the Marmonte League."