Boys soccer overview: Oxnard, Oak Park leading charge in tight league races

The Oxnard High boys soccer team has already tasted the big-game atmosphere this season.

Now it wants more.

Let by the triumvirate of senior centerback Miguel Cabrera, senior midfielder Hector Servin and junior winger Pabel Ayala, the Yellowjackets (13-2-5) reached the final of two holiday tournaments and are ranked No. 5 in CIF-Southern Section Division 4.

“We’re a fun team to watch because we move the ball well,” Oxnard head coach Chris Conte said.

Oxnard suffered its first loss of the season, 2-1, to host Thousand Oaks in the final of the Thousand Oaks tournament on Dec. 21. It responded by winning the Buena tournament on Dec. 30, edging Royal in the final on penalty kicks.

“The tournaments over the break helped us, being in that big-game scenario,” said assistant coach Miguel Silva.

Now the Yellowjackets are ready for what promises to be a dramatic Channel League race with San Marcos and Pacifica.

Oxnard and San Marcos had combined to open league play a perfect 13-0 ahead of their showdown Saturday in Santa Barbara. The Yellowjackets lost on a rainy day, 2-0, to drop to second place.

Silva’s addition to the coaching staff has helped Oxnard reach another level since making the postseason last year.

“We’ve added more of an organized style of play,” Silva said.

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Cabrera’s moved from central midfield to the center of defense, after Oxnard graduated both central defenders in the offseason, has also helped.

“He’s been a huge help back there with his size, strength and soccer IQ,” Silva said.

Ayala, a junior winger, has been the creative force of an attacking line that also includes junior Christian Escarcega (seven goals, three assists) and junior Abraham Servin (six goals).

“Pabel is one of those wingers who will go at you,” Silva siad.

Goalkeepers Adrian Luna and Anthony Velasquez have both won penalty shootouts, which is another reason for postseason optimism.

“We’ve been flipping back and forth,” said Silva, who is a former Oxnard High and Cal Lutheran University goalkeeper. “Both of them are really good stoppers.”

COASTAL CANYON LEAGUE

Oak Park has the opportunity to achieve something special this season.

Much of the group that reached the second round of the Division 3 playoffs a year ago returns, including the strike force of playmaker Zack Harris and striker Charles Chowana, who have already combined for 23 goals and nine assists through 12 matches.

The Eagles (11-1) have outscored their opponents 43-6 and already avenged last year’s Snow Bowl playoff loss to Hesperia with a 2-1 home win on Dec. 17.

“The boys and the families really bought into what we were trying to do, trying to make a program that lasts,” Oak Park coach Brandon Heidt said.

The spine of goalkeeper Ryan Chu, centerback Joel Cufi, ball-winning midfielder Rowan Heidt, Harris and Chowena is as solid as there is locally.

Heidt likes his team’s increased depth.

“There is competition for spots every game,” Heidt said. “That’s the biggest difference.”

Defending league champion Moorpark was hit in the offseason when three of its players, including star forwards Jerry Ramos, and Oscar Vargas — who combined for 35 goals on last year’s 17-2 team — transferred to Birmingham.

“When we showed up the first day of school, they weren’t enrolled,” Moorpark coach Manny Galvan said. “They had transferred over to Birmingham. It caught us off-guard.”

But the Musketeers (6-5-3) have responded behind midfielder Javier Castro and versatile senior Josh Hernandez. Andrew Vargas, Oscar’s younger brother, has been a standout in defense.

“We have some great pieces,” Galvan said. “Guys that want to prove a point.”

Senior Juan Magdaleno, formerly a starter at the back, has scored eight goals since moving up top.

Powered by senior striker Zane Williams, who has scored 13 goals in 15 games, Simi Valley (13-3) could also be in the mix.

“A team is slowly starting to come together,” Simi Valley coach Ryan Woods said. “I want to get to the Division 6 playoffs and do damage.”

Sophomore winger Angel Orozco, an MLS NEXT prospect, has also shone for the Pioneers.

Camarillo (3-8-4) has been powered by the production of senior attacker Tyler Nagel.

MARMONTE LEAGUE

There may be no singular favorite in the Marmonte League.

“I think there’s a lot more parity in the league this year than previous years,” said longtime Thousand Oaks head coach Mark Tietjen. “It’s not like there’s necessarily one front-runner. You can see that in some of the results.”

But the Lancers (8-5-2), who handed Oxnard its lone loss of the season, may have the edge with their three-man midfield of senior captain Gavin Arce and talented juniors Uziel Diaz and Diego Estrada.

“They tore us apart in the midfield,” Woods said of Simi Valley’s 2-0 loss to Thousand Oaks on Dec. 2. “They dragged us all over the shop.”

Depth up front allows Tietjen to rotate through a deep group of forwards, including senior Brady Karsten, junior Kevin Parker, junior Michael Houghtaling, sophomore Jack Steinberg and sophomore Ethan Lee.

“It’s nice to have options up top,” Tietjen said. “We haven’t had that in a long time.”

Veterans Carter Supple and Ryan Morreale anchor the defense. Backup David Rios has taken over at goalkeeper as starter Tyler Miller recovers from a broken finger.

Agoura (5-3-3) returns reigning league MVP Justin Sosa, defender Matthew LeValley and many of the players who powered a 19-game unbeaten streak last year.

“We’re returning a lot of quality guys,” Agoura coach Jaime Alvarado said. “There’s a really good spirit about the team. They’re engaged and focused to the team goals we’ve set at the beginning of the season.”

Sosa, who scored 17 goals as a junior and has committed to Division I St. Mary’s University, is the playmaker of an attack that includes junior striker Devin Bening and junior winger Kevin Zendejas, who recently played for Cal South’s Olympic Development Program.

Sophomore Connor Howie is a dynamic fullback. Freshman Luke Bussierre has taken over in goal following an injury to junior starter Owen Hudak.

The production of attacker Jaden Nachimzon and the sure hands of goalie Cooper McAllister should also keep Westlake (9-5-4) in the race.

“The league is going to be gnarly,” Westlake coach Aerick Brown said. “It’s competitive.”

Newbury Park (3-2-3) is feeling the effects of a series of injuries to its senior class.

But the Panthers should be excited about sophomore striker Dragen Vrataric, who already has four goals in limited minutes.

“We brought him up last year and he couldn’t play at the speed his freshman year,” Newbury Park coach Eric Sanford said. “He is now.”

Senior Ryan Thorndike, who can play in midfield, as a false nine and up top, gives the Panthers experience in the middle of the field.

Calabasas (3-6-3), which won the league in 2021 and pushed Agoura to the final game last year, returns 13 seniors. First-year coach Stephan Millage has taken over Oaks Christian (2-8-2).

“There’s no quit in any of these teams,” Sanford said. “It’s extremely competitive.”

CHANNEL LEAGUE

Saturday’s showdown between San Marcos (8-0 in league) and Oxnard (6-1) produced Channel League's front-runner and chaser.

But Pacifica (9-4-1) hopes to work its way back into the race after tight losses to both teams.

Junior Michael Sauceda has seven goals since shifting up front in league play. Junior fullback Jose De Jesus Hernandez leads a solid defense.

Buena (11-10-1) is aiming for the league’s fourth and final automatic playoff berth.

“Top three is a going to get a little tough to crack into,” Buena coach Forrest Solis said.

The Bulldogs boosted those odds with Tuesday’s 2-1 win over rival Ventura.

After playing up front as a freshman, attacker Nate Lopez has shifted into the attacking center midfield role. The change has paid off as Lopez already has 16 goals for the Bulldogs.

Jonathan Barrera, a central defender known for his shotblocking abilities, leads the Buena defense.

Powered by 14 seniors, including nine returning starters, Ventura (7-5) has the potential to chase down Buena in the race for the fourth spot.

Winger Henry Rose, powerful striker Kanan Welch and central defender Pancho Ramirez lead the Cougars.

“They’re hungry,” Ventura coach Claudio Lonardo said. “Our goal is to go to CIF.”

Senior Matthew Romero leads Rio Mesa (2-11-4) with five goals. The Spartans are rebuilding with a group that includes six freshmen and seven sophomores.

CITRUS COAST LEAGUE

After years in the Pacific View and Channel leagues, powerhouse Channel Islands (8-3-3) received a rude awakening in its first match since moving to the Citrus Coast League.

Santa Paula (6-4-2) has used its 1-0 win over the Raiders on Dec. 14 as a springboard into first place.

“They have a good squad,” Santa Paula coach Manny Elizarraraz. “My goalkeeper came up big.”

Captain Keven Tirado and attacker Christian Saucedo lead the Cardinals, who have won their first four league matches.

Tirado’s move from midfield to central defense has helped Santa Paula transition after a slow start to the season.

Although Channel Islands has lost to Santa Paula and tied Fillmore, the Raiders are adjusting to their new home.

“It’s the type of league where home advantage is actually a thing,” said Channel Islands coach Salvador Orozco. “It’s different. … It’s been really fun.”

The Raiders are led by star playmaker Benjamin Aguilar, who leads the team in goals playing behind strikers Chris Martinez and Damian Renteria.

Fillmore (6-6-2) has been powered by seven goals from sophomore striker Jesus Angel Avila.

TRI-VALLEY ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

Grace Brethren returns 14 players from the team that reached the Division 7 final last year.

The Lancers may be the class of the Frontier League, which includes Santa Clara, Villanova Prep, Thacher and Laguna Blanca this season.

Senior striker Jeremy Larson has 10 goals and five assists in just five matches for Grace Brethren (3-2), which has lost to Oak Park and Westlake.

Foothill Tech’s 7-1 win over St. Bonaventure on Tuesday signals the Dragons as a contender in the Tri-Valley League, which also includes Bishop Diego, Cate and Dunn this year.

Antonio Suarez has taken over as St. Bonaventure head coach after longtime coach Andrew Walk stepped away in the offseason.

Joe Curley covers soccer for The Star. He can be reached at joe.curley@vcstar.com. For more coverage, follow @vcspreps on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Boys soccer overview: Oxnard, Oak Park leading charge in league races