After a frustrating loss on the road at league-leader Santa Paula last week, the Malibu High boys soccer team demonstrated plenty of resolve and perseverance by bouncing back and defeating Oak Park, 3-1, on the road last Friday night. The Sharks’ win maintained their hold on third place in the Tri- Valley League.
The road win was crucial with the regular season coming to an end in a couple weeks, as the top three positions in the Tri-Valley League earn an automatic berth into the CIF playoffs.
Behind the brilliant goaltending of Max Watkin and the stalwart defending of junior centerback Jonah Gooden, Malibu, ranked No. 10 in the recent CIF-Southern Section Division IV poll, improved to 8-2-1 overall and 3-2 in league with five games remaining on the schedule.
“We are hitting our stride. Our team is doing well and we are doing better this year at this point than we did a year ago,” Malibu coach Lloyd Kinnear said. “We just need to keep it up and improve in certain areas.”
Tied at one apiece at halftime, the Eagles had two golden opportunities to take the lead on their home field but were turned away both times by Watkin. The sophomore goalie had a diving save early in the second half and then a few moments later denied an Oak Park breakaway by coming out of the net and challenging the opposition with a one-on-one save that inspired the Sharks.
Playing with a renewed sense of energy, Malibu struck in the 57th minute to take a 2-1 advantage when senior Adam Fote scored courtesy of a Gooden assist. Minutes later Fote, Malibu’s leading goal scorer this season, had to leave the game due to a sore ankle.
James Handal replaced Fote at forward, and with 12 minutes remaining in the game the speedy sophomore soon scored from six yards for a 3-1 Sharks lead. Two well-played passes from Zach Le and Gooden set up Handal’s insurance goal to give the Sharks room to breathe and a 3-1 victory, and capped a night in which Gooden scored one goal and assisted on two others.
Strong defensive play by Watkin, Jacob Gooden, Jonah’s twin brother, and Luke Campbell limited the home team Eagles to one goal.
The victory was a total team effort, Kinnear said.
“We made a few personnel changes to help us technically. James’ speed changed the momentum in our favor,” Kinnear explained. “And Max kept us in the game with the saves he pulled off. He’s been playing very well.”
Friday’s victory helped offset the sting from a 1-0 loss two days earlier to Santa Paula. On a chilly night in front of rabid Cardinal die-hard soccer fans, the Sharks put up a strong fight only to lose on a goal with seven minutes remaining.
Prior to the beginning of league action, Malibu came roaring out of the gate with a pre-season mark of 5-0-1. The Sharks posted all shutouts in their victories while outscoring the opposition by a staggering 49-2 differential.
Having finished in third place in league a year ago, Malibu set its goals this season on a league title for the first time since 2008. The Sharks currently own victories over Oaks Christian, 1-0, Fillmore, 4-0, and Oak Park while suffering setbacks to Carpinteria, 2-0, and Santa Paula.
Looming ahead is a monumental game on Friday against second-place Carpinteria on the Warriors’ home field at 5 p.m.
In order for Malibu to have a strong second half of league and possibly capture a league title, Kinnear needs his team to have better focus on the challenges that lie ahead.
“We need more concentration. It’s not how we play but rather concentrating for a longer period of time. As the game goes on, we get tired and begin to lose focus,” Kinnear said. “We need less mental errors and less technical errors. That is what will change us for the better.”
