After last year’s record-breaking season, OPHS Boys Soccer are back and ready to dominate once again. The boys finished the  2022-23 season with an overall record of 16-2 and went undefeated in league. They qualified for the Division I playoffs for the first time in school history. 

“We are looking forward to maintaining the precedent set by the players before, who brought this program to a very high level,” senior captain Artun Vance said. “The program and the school mean a lot to us and following in the footsteps of the last couple of years is going to be very exciting.”

As a Division I team who has  ranked 14th in the Southern California Section, Coach Brandon Heidt recognizes the strength the program carries. 

“We have great leadership with Charles Chowana and Artun Vance,” Heidt said. “I believe the seniors in this group and some of the younger guys that have moved up really want to compete every game and continue to aim for our league title and a further playoff push.”

For most of the boys, some of the most exciting parts of the season experience are high stakes competing for titles or the chance to beat rivals.

“This season I’m looking forward to fighting for titles and very much forward to the Kanan Cup against Agoura,” sophomore Rastin Houshmand Azad said. “I’m hoping we can win the three trophies we are playing in, and that we’re able to build something that outlasts us.”

Last year, the team  lost in the first round of playoffs; this year they are hoping to go further. 

“We want everyone to see that the boys soccer team is only getting better each year,” Vance said. “We want to bring home the ring for the boys that couldn’t last year.”

Bringing home rings is no easy task, the team knows the dedication and sacrifices needed to attain this goal.

“One big challenge will be coming together as a team, connecting on many levels, being able to play as a team and succeed,” sophomore Carson Casella said. “I think we can overcome this by putting away our pride and ego to allow us to play as a team and not for the individual.” 

Despite the new incoming players who are all looking to prove a lot this year, it will still be a challenge to fill the gaps of the 15 seniors that they lost. 

“It’s going to take a lot of hard work and commitment to ensure that we fill all the gaps left by the senior class last year,” Vance said. “I know that the boys are extremely motivated to do so and get some much needed silverware (trophies) for this program.”

All the boys have high hopes and expectations for the season, but as a collective they want to make unforgettable memories.