Building an empire

Calabasas boys’ soccer team seeks winning formula on and off the pitch



FROM LISBON TO L.A.—Francisco Bolota, right, is a senior defender for the Calabasas High boys’ soccer team. He’s from Portugal.

FROM LISBON TO L.A.—Francisco Bolota, right, is a senior defender for the Calabasas High boys’ soccer team. He’s from Portugal.

The Coyotes were a mess when Leon Abravanel arrived three years ago.

There were six soccer balls for 60 players. The boys’ soccer team rifled through a litany of names, faces and false hope after head coach John Reich, the patriarch of the program, stepped down in 2005. A once proud team was an afterthought, a wandering soul in Dante’s Purgatorio, a refugee exiled from Brobdingnag.

Abravanel yearns to change Calabasas into an entity greater than simply a soccer team. He stresses community service, academics and selflessness.

“We’re trying to do the right things,” he said.

In his third season, Abravanel has seen the Coyotes mature in many areas.

The team went a respectable 6-8-2 during non-league action.

Calabasas thrives in the classroom. Players must maintain grade-point averages at or above 3.0; the team GPA hovers between 3.3 and 3.4, according to the coach.

Abravanel also organizes trips for his players to volunteer locally and in inner city communities. The coach is founder and CEO of the nonprofit Juggle the World, which wants to give away 10 million soccer balls to disadvantaged kids in the U.S.

Add up everything, and Abravanel want to transform studentathletes into exemplary young adults.

“We want kids to be in an environment where they’re constantly challenged and stretched,” he said.

“I want young families to be inspired to come here. I want to get people to understand what we’re trying to accomplish and say, ‘Wow, this is a really good product for my kids.’”

The season culminates during Senior Night. Calabasas will honor 12 seniors before battling rival Agoura at 6:15 tonight at home. Middle school students—it doesn’t matter if they play soccer— can attend tonight’s game for free if they’re accompanied by a parent.

Calabasas has struggled generating consistent offense through a 2-6-1 Marmonte League gantlet.

“The results aren’t awesome, but we keep fighting,” Abravanel said. “For us, it’s about making sure we fight through every game and give it everything we’ve got.”

Justo Garcia is a wizard with the ball.

The junior, a center attacking midfielder, said the Coyotes are playing well despite struggling in the win column.

“We haven’t shown many good results, but I like the way we play,” Garcia said. “It’s a fun time, no matter what.”

Garcia scored two goals in a 3-1 win against Oaks Christian on Jan. 13 at home.

“We really wanted it,” the junior said. “We had desire. We were aggressive and consistent on the ball that day.”

The midfielder pointed to a 5-2 loss to Newbury Park as a memorable match. Despite falling behind 4-0, the Coyotes scored two goals in quick succession. Garcia said the mini-comeback exemplifies Calabasas’ tenacity.

Garcia, an honors student with a 3.5 GPA, enjoys swimming and snowboarding. His twin brother, Damien, enjoys snowboarding and playing bass guitar. Garcia has two older brothers, Sixto and Sebastián. Sebastián Garcia played soccer at Calabasas and UC Irvine.

Skylar Gibson is a standout senior right fullback. He uses his athleticism, speed and strength to stymie attacking forwards.

The defensive beast has played four seasons of varsity soccer, including his first two at Malibu High.

“I’ve played defense my whole life,” Gibson said.

The honors student, who sports a 4.2 GPA, said playing for his school is special.

“One of the great things about high school soccer is I play with peers and friends,” he said. “You get to represent your school and your town.”

He’s looking forward to suiting up on Senior Night.

“It’s my last game of high school soccer ever,” Gibson said. “I want to enjoy it, make it count and savor it. We’re playing Agoura, our big rivals, so hopefully we get a win, too.”

Gibson, who sprints in the 200-meter and 400 races for the track and field team, enjoys surfing and riding mountain bikes. He plays piano in the jazz band and is active in the Future Business Leaders of America. The Coyote’s holding his breath until March when he’ll find out if he’s accepted into Dartmouth.

Francisco Bolota gives the Coyotes international flair.

The exchange student from Lisbon, Portugal, is a senior defender.

Bolota said he’s fitting in well at Calabasas.

“I love my team,” said Bolota, who also enjoys surfing. “Most of my friends are on this team. I like the school, and I like the environment of high school soccer. . . . The experience has been very good.”

Bolota competed last weekend in the Scholastic Surf Series for the Calabasas surf squad in Ventura.

Camron Clifton, a senior, starts at goalkeeper. The honors student starred on the offensive line and was a kicker for the playoff football team in the fall. Clifton, expected to throw the shot put and discus in track and field, is a huge fan of Liverpool F.C.

Eylon Cohen is a sophomore who has stepped up at forward.

Noah Palm, a junior center back, is a consistent player and strong tackler who’s “probably our MVP this year,” the coach said.

Lucas Villa a junior forward, leads the Coyotes with five goals. Jake Scarbrough moved to the area from Chile. He’s a standout senior forward.

Danny Aguilar and Alex Bergman are senior forwards who work hard on the pitch.

Ian Brizes, Jordan Hodges, Casey Hynes, Trapper Piatt, Maxwell Weissman and Maksim Wolf are seniors. Adam Nikzad and Barbod Noorabadi also contribute for Calabasas.

Chris Osment, Kevin Sell, Steve Melero, Zach Ray, Natalie Backman and Milan Radovic boost the coaching staff.

“We’ve had some setbacks,” Gibson said. “We still keep playing hard and training hard. This season is not quite what we wanted, but we’re enjoying ourselves.”


‘YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE’— Camron Clifton is a senior goalkeeper for the Coyotes. Clifton is a multisport athlete; he was an offensive lineman for the football team, and he throws for the track andfield squad.

‘YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE’— Camron Clifton is a senior goalkeeper for the Coyotes. Clifton is a multisport athlete; he was an offensive lineman for the football team, and he throws for the track andfield squad.

 

 

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