The Oak Park High school boys soccer team ended its season on Feb. 11 following a loss in the first round of the playoffs to Baldwin Park High School.
Despite the early exit, the Eagles completed one of the most successful seasons in program history.
Sophomore goalkeeper Luke Pawlowski regarded playing on the varsity level as a platform to gain valuable advice and new perspectives.
“As a sophomore, I am honored to play on varsity,” Pawlowski said. “The whole environment is on a different level, and it’s an amazing experience to learn from upperclassmen.”
Pawlowski added the season taught him patience, especially after the team’s postseason run ended in a flash.
“Although the season came to an abrupt end in a somewhat controversial game, the boys soccer team had an outstanding season,” Pawlowski said.
The Eagles won the league title and set school records for most shutouts and most wins in a single season.
Junior Nico Kincheloe said the team met many of its preseason goals but fell short of its expectations in the playoffs.
“I believe that our season went well and we achieved almost all of the goals we wanted to accomplish,” Kincheloe said. “However, I do believe our season fell short even with breaking the record for most clean sheets, scoring 60 goals, winning the Coastal Canyon League and the Kanan Cup.”
With a season tallying all those records, it still stings with how the season ended.
“Our first-round exit in the playoffs made the season feel all too short,” he said. “It was a blast though, and I’m blessed to have been able to be a part of this great group of guys.”
The Eagles’ league championship and record-setting defensive performance highlight a season that will be remembered as one of the strongest in school history.
