MARKED MAN—A year ago, during his junior season with the Oak Park High boys’ soccer squad, Bryce Arenson, right, scored 17 goals. As a senior, Arenson has taken his game to the next level. Heading into Wednesday’s match against Carpinteria, Arenson had tallied a team-high 12 goals in 11 games. In addition to his exploits on the pitch, Arenson is a third-degree black belt in karate. RICHARD GILLARD/Acorn Newspapers Bryce Arenson could have coasted into his senior season knowing full well that he is the most ballyhooed player on the Oak Park High boys’ soccer team.

He could have spent the summer sleeping in and chasing girls at the beach—or worse, playing FIFA World Cup video games day and night from the comfort of his couch.

But that isn’t Arenson’s style, not by a long shot.

A dedicated student-athlete with a Kobe Bryant-like passion to succeed, Arenson is the rare hotshot who gives 110 percent before, during and after practice.

Bryce Arenson Then, on game days, he cashes in all that blood, sweat and tears with spectacular goals and awesome assists.

Arenson’s success “ is no secret,” OPHS head coach David Copeland-Smith said. “He just works harder than everyone else.

“He’ll put in an hour more of practice per day than everyone else will. He does it on his own with his own soccer trainer. If you put in those extra practice hours per week and add them up over a year, and then add that to the last 10 years, that’s why he’s better than everyone else.”

Born and raised in England, Copeland-Smith has spent nearly two decades trying to maximize soccer talent.

He’s worked with countless premier athletes in the states and abroad, including a stint with the New York MetroStars of Major League Soccer (they are now the New York Red Bulls).

Of all the players he’s coached, Copeland-Smith said Arenson’s dedication sets him apart.

“ We are in a PlayStation generation where everybody can do things on the PlayStation but can’t do it in real life,” the coach said. “But (Arenson) sets the example and goes out and does it.

“It’s rare to have a kid like that. I’ve coached thousands of kids in America, and I can think of three who have been like that.”

Arenson, 17, is the Eagles’ captain this year, his fourth season on the varsity squad.

“ You have to be vocal on the field,” he said of the captain’s role. “You have to lead by example and pick everyone up when they’re down.

“You have to play at a higher level, be early to practice and be the last guy to leave.”

Heading into Wednesday’s Tri-Valley League showdown at Carpinter ia, Arenson led Oak Park with 12 goals while chipping in four assists.

The Eagles’ record stood at 6-3-2 overall, 1-3 in league.

Fueled by two-a-day workouts during the offseason that featured a potpourri of team and individual drills, the savvy striker exploded out of the gates when Oak Park took the pitch in late November.

Arenson logged two goals in a season-opening tie against Newbury Park. Two weeks later, he tallied a hat trick against Viewpoint. He also had two-goal matches versus St. Bonaventure and Villanova Prep in mid-December.

“After practicing with collegelevel people in the summer, I knew what I needed to do to get to that level,” Arenson said. “I felt like if I didn’t get off to a hot start here, then I probably wouldn’t be able to play at the next level.”

Playing college soccer is no longer a concern for Arenson. He will attend Soka University of America in Aliso Viejo on scholarship.

One of the strongest physical assets Arenson brings to the pitch is his ability to dribble, pass and shoot with either foot.

Couple that with his outstanding speed and knack for finding the back of the net, and Arenson’s Oak Park teammates know the Eagle offense is best when things flow through the talented forward.

“Bryce is fast, aggressive, and his shooting ability is unbelievable,” said senior midfielder Stephen Zelada, another four-year varsity member. “He has pinpoint accuracy when he shoots, and he’s a real team leader.

“If you told him to shoot a ball in the right corner, he’ll put it right there. It’s amazing. He’s a natural athlete who does well in any sport—basketball, football, all of them. He’s so naturally gifted.”

In addition to competing for Oak Park, Arenson is also a longtime member of the CVU Pumas travel soccer team.

The 5- foot- 7, 160- pound senior who carries a 3.8 gradepoint average doesn’t appear to be the most intimidating presence on the pitch, but looks, as they say, can be deceiving.

A third-degree black belt in Tang Soo Do karate, Arenson is not the guy big, burly defenders want to mess with near the goal box.

“He’s ripped. He’s solid,” Copeland-Smith said. “You can’t move him off the ball. It’s scary.

“We’ve had a few skirmishes on the field where guys get into it a bit, and (Arenson) is the one pulling people off. He’s not going after anyone. But if someone went after him, I’d literally tell them, ‘You don’t want to do that.’ They can probably see it in his eyes.”

Having never advanced past the first round of the CIF-Southern Section playoffs, Arenson and Oak Park’s other seniors are focused on making a deep postseason run in their final year with the program. To accomplish that feat, everyone on the roster must step up their collective efforts.

Of late, opposing teams have double- and triple-teamed Arenson, the coach said. That opens up opportunities for other players— scoring chances the Eagles must convert into goals.

“Winning is contagious,” Arenson said. “Once we start winning, it’ll be hard to stop us. I want to go out a winner. We all do.”