Playing through the pain

LEADING BY EXAMPLE—Moorpark High senior Stacey Fujikuni gets possession on the ball during Tuesday’s match against Royal. WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers Stacey Fujikuni is one tough, dedicated player.

The senior captain for the Moorpark High girls’ soccer team fractured her left wrist during a Jan. 13 match at Agoura.

She hasn’t missed a game yet because of the injury, even though she’s playing with a cast.

Fujikuni already has a scholarship lined up to play at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City—but work remains at Moorpark.

“There’s always a risk in playing injured,” said teammate Lindsey O’Tousa, a sophomore defender and midfielder.

“It shows how dedicated she is to our team. She’s putting herself out there to help our team and be there for everyone.”

Fujikuni, 17, is a four-year varsity standout at center and outside midfield. She tries to get the offense going with her crosses and deft passes, and is active as a distributor and scorer.

Stacey Fujikuni “I enjoy playing with my friends,” the senior said. “That’s what high school is all about.”

The captain is doing her best to get the Musketeers out of their rut.

Moorpark entered Thursday’s home game against Thousand Oaks 3-5-3 in Marmonte League action. The team hadn’t won in almost a month—its last victory was against Agoura on Jan. 13.

With only two regular-season games remaining next week, Moorpark doesn’t control its playoff destiny.

“It’s been frustrating,” Fujikuni said. “We haven’t won in a while. We have to learn from our mistakes. I love the sport and the competition. I’d say I’m a pretty competitive person. I don’t like losing.

“I’m just hoping we can win and have no regrets these last couple of games. Hopefully we make it to (the playoffs) so it won’t end so soon.”

MHS closes its season on Senior Night on Tuesday against Agoura and next Thursday at Westlake.

Teammates and coaches enjoy playing with their quiet leader.

Assistant coach Jessie Dingham played with Fujikuni when the Musketeers reached the section championship game two years ago.

“Stacey’s always been really consistent for us,” Dingham said. “I think she’s part of the reason why we’re still in it. She has a very quiet way about her, leading the team with her actions. She works really hard.”

Said teammate Brittney Pollock of Fujikuni: “She’s a great leader on the field. She’s one of the girls we can always count on. She gives probably 200 percent every time she steps up to the white line.”

Although she appears quiet to outsiders, Pollock said Fujikuni opens up to her friends.

“She’s not shy at all,” said Pollock, who warms up with Fujikuni before every game.

“She’s really funny, and she’s always joking around. She’s a fun person to be around.”

Fujikuni is looking forward to playing at the next level for the Utes.

The Musketeer visited the Utah campus during her official visit last summer. She said she liked the campus, coaches and players.

“It was the place for me,” Fujikuni said.

The senior said she enjoys snowboarding, and she’ll get plenty of time to ride the Utah powder.

Fujikuni, who has a 3.8 gradepoint average, ran on the cross country team for her first three seasons at MHS. She competed in the mile and 800 races for the track team as a freshman and sophomore.

Although the Musketeers have struggled down the stretch, Fujikuni said she has enjoyed this season over the others.

“This year’s been really fun,” she said. “We went the farthest my sophomore year, and I enjoyed that, too, because we did so well.

“But I’m a senior leader, and the girls normally look to seniors to show them the way. We’re role models.”

Moorpark will miss its role model when the season finally ends.

“She’s an amazing player and an amazing person,” O’Tousa said. “I’m going to miss her so much. Hopefully, we’ll be lucky to have someone like her lead the team next year.”