Playoffs reach the pitch
By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers READY TO RUN- Sasha Arya and the Oak Park High girls' soccer team opens the postseason Saturday at 3 p.m. at Garden Grove.

High school postseason soccer has come to the Conejo Valley. Does your favorite team have what it takes to claim a CIF ring? We're about to find out.

Girls' soccer

Oaks Christian has been CIF co-champions four of the last five years.

Last season, OCHS entered the playoffs as a wild-card team and had to win five games just to reach the title game. This year the road is a little easier, as Oaks Christian, the Tri-Valley League champion and the division's No. 2 seed, will begin the postseason at home Saturday.

The Lions will play either Whittier Christian or El Segundo, who faced off last night in a wildcard contest.

With time to prepare, head coach Jan Hethcock kept practices light this week.

"Some coaches will say that you should have your practices more intense this time of year," Hethcock said. "Not me. These girls have been playing all year, if you count the club season. They're tired, so I make the practices shorter and a little quicker on the tempo."

The Lions' attack starts with senior Kelsea Smith, who led the team with 16 goals. Junior goalkeeper Noelle Salter has postseason experience as well, and this year she only gave up 20 goals while making 111 saves.

Two freshmen, Alexandra Courtnall and Jaciara Mello, could also make an impact.

If there's any team that's looking at Oak's Christian's path to the 2007 title game as a source of inspiration, it may be their rival, Oak Park.

Despite a Tri-Valley League record of 831 and a No. 5 ranking in the CIF-SS coaches' poll, the Eagles will begin the playoffs on the road Saturday against Garden Grove High, the No. 1 seed out of the Garden Grove League.

The Eagles have been dealt numerous injuries that will make their road to the title game difficult.

Sophomores Tayler Johnson and Caitlin Crouse, as well as senior Ashley Umann, are doubtful for Saturday's game. Oak Park's two goalkeepers, Alison James and Rebecca Varley, have also been sidelined, but head coach Mark Zeolla is hoping one of them will be ready to play in the first round.

"We have our work cut out for us," Zeolla said. "We've had to move a lot of our players around because of injuries, and that's been tough. And this time of year, every team is good."

In the Division II bracket, Thousand Oaks comes in as the No. 1 seed from the Marmonte League.

The Lancers, (15-4-2 overall, 11-1-2 in league) will play at home in the first round Saturday against either Crescenta Valley or Lancaster.

TOHS is led by sophomore Michelle Cruz, junior Sam Rivera and senior goalkeeper Laura Brain.

The Marmonte League's second-place squad, Agoura (15-2-5 overall, 8-2-4 in league), will host South Hills High Saturday. South Hills is the No. 2 seed out of the San Antonio League.

Mike Skene's Charger club is led by Megan Caunan, Kristin Brabart and Kendall Dreyer. Experience may help Agoura, as the squad features nine seniors.

With a No. 5 ranking in the CIFSS Division VI coaches' poll and a Liberty League record of 9-0-1, Viewpoint looks like one of the teams to beat in the Division VI bracket. The Patriots will host New Roads or Marshall High Saturday.

Newbury Park and La Reina played in wildcard games Wednesday on the road. As of press time, scores weren't available.

Boys' soccer

Newbury Park won the Marmonte League with a record of 9-2-3 (9-4-3 overall) and will host Esperanza High in the first round on Friday. Eperanza is the No. 3 seed from the Sunset League.

Newbury Park is led by Vinny Muscarella, David Matic, Alex McKay and goalkeeper Troy Williams. NPHS enters the postseason undefeated in its last seven matches (5-0-2).

Finishing second in the Marmonte League standings was Calabasas. The Coyotes will play at Crespi Friday in the first round.

Calabasas, which went 9-7-7 overall and 8-4-2 in the Marmonte League, has won or tied nine of its last 11 games. Look for senior Daniel Steres and junior Harrison Doyle to be difference-makers.

Thousand Oaks, the No. 3 seed out of the Marmonte League, will play Friday on the road against the No. 1 seed from the Golden League, Quartz Hill.

Oaks Christian fell just short of Carpinteria in its quest for a Tri-Valley League title.

OCHS will open the first round Friday at home against Windward, the Olympic League's No. 2 seed.

Royal, Oak Park, Newbury Park Adventist and Viewpoint all played wildcard games Wednesday afternoon.