Target on their backs
Agoura takes on Royal today in clash of top two water polo teams in Division IV
By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers COUNTY'S FINEST- Agoura's Casey Sullivan fires a shot toward the net during Tuesday's practice session. The Chargers are ranked No. 1 in the CIF-Southern Section Division IV coaches' poll.

Early in the preseason, the Agoura High boys' water polo team was given the No. 1 ranking in the CIFSouthern Section Division IV coaches' poll. So far the Chargers have lived up to those lofty expectations.

After earning a share of the Marmonte League title last season for the first time in five years and making the CIF-SS Division IV semifinals, the Chargers will now look to go even further in the playoffs.

Agoura has lived up to its top billing early, going undefeated with a record of 6-0, including a win against last year's Division IV champion, Mira Costa.

"We are ranked No. 1 this year, I believe, because we returned more players than anyone else in the area," Agoura head coach Dustin Litvak said.

"Even though we haven't done anything to deserve it yet, (the ranking) does create a target on our backs, and obviously every team wants to knock the top team off. I have just told my team that it doesn't matter where you start off ranked; it's where you end the season ranked."

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers PAIR OF ACES- Charger goalkeeper Ryan Paris, left, and Peter Kurzeka are two of the Marmonte League's finest polo players.

The Chargers return their top player, Peter Kurzeka, who led the Marmonte League with 119 goals in 2006. Although Litvak said Kurzeka is currently playing with tendonitis in one of his shoulders, the senior hasn't allowed the injury to slow him down. Kurzeka has scored 25 goals through the team's first six games.

Agoura also brings back its goalkeeper, Ryan Paris, as well as other offensive weapons such as Paul Jones, Matt Carlson, Joey Sparks, Brandon Gross and Calvin Moffett.

When Agoura went on a trip to Hungary to play with some of the best water polo teams overseas, the Chargers learned how to play without Kurzeka, who did not make the trip.

"On that trip we learned not to rely on (Kurzeka) all the time," Litvak said. "We have many players that have stepped up on offense, and that creates less double teams for Peter. They can keep double teaming him, but then they pay the price."

The Chargers defense should be stellar this season as well with Paris back in the net. Litvak said Paris has gotten better with each game he plays.

"Ryan now believes that he has to make some saves that not every goalkeeper makes," Litvak said. "He was a little jittery in the first game against Mira Costa, but since then he has played exceptional, especially against Murrieta Valley in our last game."

Another advantage the Chargers have is experience. The team returns 13 seniors this year, some of whom have played together for more than 10 years.

"I have played with most of these guys since I was in sixth grade," senior Paul Jones said. "I have a better connection with everyone out there, and I feel without looking sometimes I can make a pass to someone based on their tendencies that I have gotten to know over the years."

Litvak said for the team to get a league title of their own this season, AHS will have to stay humble with the team's early season success, get great play off the bench and make sure that the offense isn't a one-man show run by Kurzeka. But more than anything else, the team will most likely also have to play well against Royal High.

Last season in the league finale, Agoura beat division rival Royal on the road to earn a share of the league title. With Royal expected to be one of the Chargers' top threats this season, Litvak said the win last year was huge.

"That game was immeasurable in terms of confidence for this team," Litvak said.

"They have a greatly coached team over there at Royal, and we always used to lose to them over and over again. It was getting to the point where we weren't sure if we could ever beat them. Now when we go in to play (Royal) we physiologically give ourselves a chance knowing we've beaten them before."

The first game between Royal and Agoura takes place today at 3:15 p.m. at Rancho Simi Community Pool in Simi Valley.