Focused Calabasas Not Buffaloed in 4th Try at Frontier Opponent

CERRITOS — When top-seeded Moorpark faces Calabasas today, it will mark the second year in a row the Southern Section Division V boys’ soccer championship match will feature two Frontier League teams.

Last year, Santa Paula defeated the Coyotes in the title match, the third time since 1986 that Calabasas lost in the final to a Frontier opponent.

Calabasas Coach John Reich was asked if he felt any special sense of urgency to win this matchup at Gahr High.

“You mean I may be the Marv Levy of high school soccer coaches?” he said with a laugh, referring to the coach of the Buffalo Bills, three-time Super Bowl losers.

“No, the focus has been to play as well as we can. We are very comfortable that we can play with Moorpark.”

The Musketeers (26-2-1) and the Coyotes (13-3-2) met twice this season.

Moorpark, the Frontier League champion, won the first meeting, 2-0, and the teams tied, 1-1.

The Coyotes are led by senior defender Jeff Toms, senior forward Shayne Ferber, senior midfielder Bhret Haessig and junior goalkeeper Mike Freedman (eight shutouts).

Junior forward Pat Russo leads Moorpark with 28 goals. Senior forward Curtis Silverest has 19 goals, senior midfielder Brody Trejos has 18 and senior midfielder Paul Dojo has 14.