Moorpark boys' water polo team controls its fate
Tuesday's match against TOHS at Maverick's Gym could decide playoff berth
By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers TOUGH DAY, BUT THEY'RE STILL IN IT- Moorpark's Scott Buchanon, right, tries to swipe the ball from Agoura's Joey Sparkes during Wednesday's boys' water polo match. The game was moved from Moorpark to Agoura because of poor air quality due to the fires. Agoura won, 15-2, but the Musketeers still have a shot at making the postseason if they can beat Thousand Oaks next week.

Although the Moorpark High boys' water polo team lost 15-2 to Agoura High on Wednesday, minutes after the game was over the team wasn't dwelling on the loss.

Instead, the Musketeers seemed focused on their next game Tuesday at home against Thousand Oaks. With the loss to the Chargers, Moorpark's record fell to 4-6 in the Marmonte League. The game against Thousand Oaks will most likely decide if they make the playoffs or not, with both teams battling for fourth place in league.

"We are still in control of our own destiny," Moorpark head coach Jason Nevis said. "If we beat Thousand Oaks, then we are in. If we lose, then there will probably be a coin flip to see who gets in. Nobody on our team wants to leave it to the coin flip."

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers SPECIAL DELIVERY- Moorpark's Michael Lorch gets a shot off against Agoura.

Moorpark played on the road against Thousand Oaks back on Oct. 5 and lost 10-9. According to MHS senior Greg Beattie, the team learned a lot from its previous game with the Lancers.

"It's better this time around for us because now we have a better idea of who Thousand Oaks' shooters are," Beattie said. "Matt Irwin is a good player for them, and we will have to stop him from scoring.

"We will also need to do a better job on offense. Last time I think we were a little too focused on our defensive game and we had a tough time scoring early."

Moorpark will gain another offensive weapon this week when senior Blaine Worthington returns to the lineup after being sidelined with a groin injury. Worthington agreed with Beattie that MHS would have to do a better job at the beginning of the match if they want to get a win on Tuesday.

"Last time against Thousand Oaks our attitude wasn't that great," Worthington said. "We fell behind early in the game, and we started to get down on each other. We can't have that happen again, and it's very important we get off to a quick start. We need to be the first team to score."

While the team will have to get instant offense from players such as Beattie, Worthington and senior Tyler Johnson, its net play will also have to be in full force. Nevis said junior goalkeeper Tyler Rettig has been playing better as of late.

"He (Rettig) had a tough game against Calabasas a week ago, and he had to get his confidence back," Nevis said. "We talk all the time, and after that game we discussed some things he could improve.

"Although we lost 15-2 to Agoura today, I saw a lot of improvements and thought he played pretty well. Agoura is just a great team, and their shooters know exactly where to put the ball."

Nevis also said he has been very impressed with the physical stamina of his team, as the Musketeers virtually have no backups.

"We are in great physical shape right now," Nevis said. "That's a big plus for us since we have eight guys that basically play the whole game. I don't know of any other team that really does that."

With no subs on the team, Nevis said sophomores Danny Lorch, Scott Buchanon and Tyler Nelson have really stepped up their games.

"I've been really proud of them this year," Nevis said. "They are basically the future of this team for the next two years, so it's been great to see them improve."

Worthington is hoping the future is now for his Musketeers as they look for a playoff berth in his final year wearing the green and gold. Last season, Moorpark lost to Mira Costa High in the first round of the playoffs after beating Carpinteria in its wild-card game.

"I just want to play as much polo as possible," Worthington said. "Last year when we made the playoffs, it seemed we were just happy to be there. We have a little more playoff experience now after last season, so I want to go even further this year."

Tuesday's match is set for 3:15 p.m. at Maverick's Gym.