Moorpark boys soccer handles physical challenge in victory over Oak Park

OAK PARK — The match between the Oak Park and Moorpark boys soccer teams could probably best be described by the word “aggression.”

Tuesday night’s contest ended 3-2 in favor of visiting Moorpark, and produced lots of fouls, tackles and overall physical play.

With two yellow cards shown and two total goals from free kicks, neither team shied away from making the extra effort.

Oak Park goalkeeper Oliver Gonzalez goes high for the ball against Moorpark, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, at Oak Park High School. (Photo by Michael Owen Baker, contributing photographer)

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Oak Park goalkeeper Oliver Gonzalez goes high for the ball against Moorpark, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, at Oak Park High School. (Photo by Michael Owen Baker, contributing photographer)

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With the victory, Moorpark (9-1-3 overall, 3-0-2 league) maintained its spot at the top of the Coastal Canyon League, while Oak Park (4-3-2, 1-1-2) missed out on a chance to gain control of the league race.

The scrappiness showed up early, as did the usual one-sided dialogue between the fans and referees. As Moorpark sophomore forward Austin Nickels dribbled into the box fifteen minutes in, some contact with the defender led to Nickels falling and the Moorpark faithful clamoring for a penalty. The officials disagreed, allowing the play to unfold.

The referees’ decision set the tone for the night’s proceedings.

Moorpark head coach Manny Galvez said that playing physical is a natural component of high school soccer.

“High school soccer is a physical game compared to club,” Galvez said. “But we can play different styles, we can unlock teams if we play the right way. Being physical is part of the game, we have to be prepared for that.”

The first half hour of play came and went with neither side finding the back of the net.

That was until Moorpark senior Brady Conyers scored the opener. With the Musketeers lined up for a corner kick, Conyers stood unmarked at the back post. With no one around to contest, the midfielder rose up to meet the ball and beat Oak Park’s goalkeeper one-on-one.

Moorpark's Brady Conyers scored the first goal for his team in a 3-2 victory over Oak Park in the Coastal Canyon League on Tuesday, Jan. 21. (Photo by Anthony Aroyan) — Moorpark’s Brady Conyers scored the first goal for his team in a 3-2 victory over Oak Park in the Coastal Canyon League on Tuesday, Jan. 21. (Photo by Anthony Aroyan)

Conyers greatly contributed on both sides of the ball for Moorpark, facilitating passes forward and to the wings while putting in a defensive effort.

Once Conyers’ goal went in, the floodgates opened with four goals scored in the next 20 minutes of play.

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Just seven minutes after, Moorpark delivered its second goal. An attacking display and deflected shot allowed sophomore Christian Mitchell to pounce. As the ball deflected off the post, Mitchell sprinted forward and scored off the rebound to give his team a 2-0 lead.

While Moorpark found the lead early, Oak Park didn’t lose focus or energy.

Near the end of the first half, junior forward Carson Casella pulled one back for the Eagles, driving a free kick into the lower left corner, making the score 2-1 and keeping tensions high going into halftime.

Casella, who was Oak Park’s brightest spot throughout the match, showcased his talent and tenacity with his runs into the opposition’s defense, using tight dribbling and well-placed passing.

Casella assisted Oak Park’s second goal, another free kick scored by Noah Zweig, which finalized the 3-2 score.

The match and its result highlighted two of the best teams in the Coastal Canyon League. With the regular season winding down, the match hints that both teams will have more to play for going forward.

Moorpark will play at Camarillo on Friday at 7:15 p.m. and Oak Park will host Royal on Monday at 5:30 p.m.

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