Agoura’s game plan is simple: Win the Marmonte title

MAKE YOUR MOVE—Agoura High’s Adam Strikowski, left, dribbles around El Camino Real defender Steve Manios during Monday’s match in the Crespi/Harvard-Westlake Tournament. AHS lost, 5-2. JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers First place or bust.

After missing out on the top spot by one point in the Marmonte League standings last season, the Agoura High boys’ soccer team wants to contend for a league championship.

“Anything but a league title would be disappointing,” senior goalkeeper Brian Felberg said.

“When we play to our full potential, I believe no one can keep up with us in league.”

The Chargers, who return nine of 11 starters from 2008-09, earned three shutouts in their first six games.

They like how they’ve played to this point.

Agoura played well in its first two Marmonte games, beating Thousand Oaks 2-0 and settling for a 0-0 tie with Newbury Park.

“We have lofty ambitions,” said Andrew Staiano, the 10th-year head coach who’s spent 13 years overall in the program.

“So far we’ve held our own.”

Led by Felberg at goalkeeper, Agoura (3-3-3 overall entering Tuesday) has big, physical and fast defenders—several of whom would be equally comfortable patrolling the midfield.

Staiano has depth and versatility at midfield and dangerous strikers at forward.

Felberg is a two-year starter who was unanimously voted captain by his teammates. He directs the defense on the field and tries to stop anything and everything in his path.

“Coach tells me to make all the saves you’re supposed to make and one you’re not supposed to and we’ll win,” Felberg said.

Staiano said the keeper usually makes two or three saves he shouldn’t be saving a game.

“He’s one of the best goalkeepers in the area,” the longtime coach said. “He’s very aggressive. He’s not afraid to get injured or come off the line to challenge a forward. He’s an intense player.”

Felberg planned an official visit to Oregon State last weekend. He’s also considering playing for Colorado State.

Junior Tom Hampton and senior Jesse Horton and are big, fast and knowledgeable defenders. Senior Chris Kinney and sophomore Ari Gootnick also play defense, while freshman Charlie Villa-Lovos is a promising newcomer.

Hampton and Horton, who play together year-round on the same club team, control the pace of the game and have the ability to see what’s developing on the field.

“We’re getting to know each other and how we play,” Hampton said of the team in general. “We’re getting into a faster pace. Our defense has gotten a lot better the last couple of games. We still have work to do.”

Hampton is a cerebral player now in his third year on the varsity squad.

“Instead of clearing the ball right away, I want to bring it down and control,” Hampton said. “Then I look for the moving feet of forwards or midfielders.”

Seniors Greg Kaganovsky, Joey Shuster and Adam Strikowski are starring in the midfield. Staiano has rotated the fourth midfielder into the lineup depending on matchups and needs.

“Being a midfielder, you need very good vision and be able to play with the ball,” said Kaganovsky, who shares co-captain roles with senior forward Tyler Buron, Felberg and Kinney.

Junior Zach Bernstein and Buron are getting most of the time at forward.

“He’s probably the best oneon-one players that I’ve ever had,” Staiano said of Buron, a returning All-Marmonte first team and All-CIF third team player.

Freshman forward Liron Cohen is a natural striker with a great shot, the coach said.

Staiano is also pleased with his other two freshmen, midfielder Matt Solomon and backup goalkeeper Nico Corti.

The four freshmen are acclimating well to the varsity, according to Staiano and the players.

“It’s nice to play with the freshmen and teach them,” Hampton said. “As a more experienced player, it’s nice to help them.”

Kevin Meredith, Jaime Alvarado, David Gallop, Eric Aguilar, Doug Wong, Jackson Hart, Scott Kaiser, Brennan Brown, Dan Forgrave and Stephen Mock round out the roster.

Buron, who is thinking about playing college soccer at schools in New York or Illinois, said Agoura has great chemistry.

“We’ll try to go far in the playoffs,” said Buron, who leads Agoura with four goals. “We want to try to win league. Definitely, it’s ours to lose. It’s a matter of getting up for every game, not select games.”

Taking the Marmonte title will be a challenge. Westlake, Simi Valley, Royal, Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks and Moorpark field tough squads, the coach said.

With all the experience, a grueling preseason schedule and the desire to get to the top, the Chargers still like their chances.

“This is one of the two best teams I’ve ever had here,” Staiano said. “They’re confident. They know we have talent to do something special. It’s about executing day in and day out—and working hard.”