Camarillo boys' soccer team has newfound hope
First-year head coach Jesus Duran sees potential with current group
By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

BILL SPARKES/Acorn Newspapers OUT IN FRONT-Camarillo's Sam Myerson, left, tries to catch Agoura's Matt Kadowaki during a preseason match Tuesday afternoon at ACHS. The Scorpions lost to the Chargers 2-0.

After seven consecutive seasons with a losing record, Camarillo High decided to look for another coach to help guide its boys' soccer team in a winning direction. The school didn't have to look far.

After leading the ACHS girls' team to an 18-2 record last year, Jesus Duran was asked to take over as head coach for the boys' squad. Duran took the job last May, and now he has the Scorpions believing they can win again.

"Personally, I feel more confident this year with our new coach," senior David Garcia said. "I think the whole team feels more confident. Last year we just came out and played, but our new coach this year started our program earlier than usual this season. He is great at personal and team developments."

Duran has 27 years of soccer experience, which includes playing at the University of California Santa Barbara and in semi-pro leagues. He has coached at Camarillo and the men's team at Oxnard Junior College.

"I told my players to take advantage of having a coach with a lot of experience," Duran said. "Since I came out in May to coach this team, the players have worked very hard in practice and showed a lot of dedication. I think they know now that I know a lot about the game."

Upon joining the team, Duran told his coaching staff not to put too much stock into game scores.

"I told my other coaches that I would never ask them who was winning, but instead ask if they were playing hard and how their development was coming," Duran said. "They were a little surprised at this, but I told them that if they play hard and smart, the wins will fall into place.

"My main goal is to develop the players and build their tactical skills. I want scouts to come and see that this is occurring with our players, but in order for scouts to come see them, we are going to have to start winning more games," he said.

For the Scorpions to earn more victories this year, the team will be counting on two of its seniors to step up their games.

Duran has been impressed with the play of Garcia, who's now entering his third year on the varsity squad, and goalkeeper Brandon Cuthbertson. Cuthbertson also plays the striker position.

"I feel more in control of a game when I am the goalkeeper, but I like playing striker as well," Cuthbertson said. "I'll play whatever position the team needs me to play."

Duran also said juniors Marshall Lord and Francisco Zercewich have also impressed him in practice early on.

"Francisco has talent like you wouldn't believe," Duran said. "He's a great offensive midfield player for us.

"Both players (Lord and Zercewich) have tremendous technical and tactical abilities. Right now we are trying to build the program around players like these two."

Duran said with improved players and a positive attitude, the team has a chance to make its first postseason appearance this century.

"Our main goal is to make the playoffs; whether it's by us coming in first, second or third, it doesn't matter," Duran said.

"Once we are in the playoffs, anything can happen. Just look at what Santa Barbara did to UCLA this past week. Santa Barbara won

even though UCLA was probably the more talented team. Santa Barbara played better as a team that game, and I'm hoping that this squad can play just as great as a team."

The Scorpions are short on experience this year with many players coming up from the junior varsity level, but as Cuthbertson explained, the team is coming together very well. "We need to connect as a team

better this year, and early on I think we have been doing that," Cuthbertson said.

"A lot of the players on this team are new, but it seems we have played with each other together at some point, whether it was on club teams or on the JV level. I think this team is really gelling together nice, and if we continue to do that and not fight amongst ourselves, we can have a winning season."