MAKING THEIR MOVE—Steven Esser and the Newbury Park Panthers lacrosse team entered the week with a 6-4 overall record. At 10-0, Agoura occupies the top spot in the 101 Coast Association. JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers It’s the same game, but lacrosse still feels a little different.

Now that boys’ lacrosse is a CIF-sanctioned sport, local teams practice and play on campus.

At the midway point of the season, several squads are finding their footing.

No local outfit is playing better than Agoura High, which entered the week 10-0 and in first place in the newly formed 101 Coast Association.

Other local schools in the league are Calabasas, Newbury Park, Oak Park, Oaks Christian, Thousand Oaks and Westlake.

Malibu is also part of the 101 Coast Association.

Charger head coach Tyler Gilbert has enjoyed Agoura’s firsthalf surge.

“A great group of seniors really set the tone for the whole season,” said the fifth-year coach.

“That’s been the key to our success so far.”

Senior co-captains Sam Bradley and Jeremy Fiance lead the Chargers.

Bradley, who runs a 4.4 second 40-yard dash, is a dynamic midfielder who can fly around the field and make plays. The offense runs through attackman Fiance, who directs traffic and can control a game’s tempo.

The strong senior class is enjoying home cooking. In 2009, the Chargers practiced at Chumash Park across the street from the school, and played “home” games at Newbury Park High.

“It’s not a recreational thing anymore,” Gilbert said. “There’s more pride involved, more commitment.”

Midfielder Sean Whitney is another aggressive player who fights for ball control. Attackman Ben Samel is one of the Chargers’ leading scorers.

In less than two years playing the sport, Eric Kagan has developed into one of the best defenders in the league, the coach said.

Chad Weber, Cole Schuster and Kevin Beams are solid defenders, while Gerard Poutier and Chad Goldberg also make big contributions.

“I want to see them get better,” Gilbert said. “There’s always room for improvement.”

Newbury Park started 1-3, but surged to a five-game winning streak.

The Panthers (6-4 entering the week) turned their season around with an overtime comeback victory against Westlake.

“We’ve come a long way,” said Newbury Park first-year coach Geoff Sebold, who spent five seasons building the Oaks Christian program.

“We took it on the chin the first week or two. We’ve regrouped.”

Senior goalie Will Marinelli, who had 19 saves in a close loss to Agoura last weekend, is playing solid.

Junior Steven Esser controls the defense. Junior attackman Zach Garrett plays with flair, while senior attackman/ midfielder McLean Smith scraps for his goals.

Sebold wants to see the Panthers be more patient offensively. He’s pleased, however, with the team’s defense.

Calabasas (2-8) has only fielded a lacrosse team for two seasons. With 11 players new to lacrosse on the roster, the maturation process is ongoing.

“We have a lot of growing to do,” head coach Eric Baker said. “I tell the players, ‘Don’t grow a mile in a day. Grow an inch in a day.’”

Baker, who spent 10 seasons leading Beverly Hills, helped Calabasas find an interim coach in 2009. He decided to take over before this year.

“I liked the kids—I like their spirit,” he said. “I wanted a challenge. I felt like this was a good place to start a new program.”

Sophomore goalie Jace Hodder has more than 200 saves and a solid save percentage. Junior attackman Lee Sobel is a versatile leader.

Senior attackman Brian Gellerman leads the Coyotes with 20 goals. Junior midfielder Danny Passovoy is a first-year player with a competitive streak.

Oaks Christian (3-10) has had a frustrating first half with several one-goal setbacks.

“We’ve lost a lot of close games,” Lions head coach Patrick Smith said. “They haven’t gone our way. That hasn’t impacted our work ethic.”

Senior midfielder Robbie Thompson is one of the best players in the league, Smith said.

Giorgio Valenzuela, another senior, has a quick, accurate outlet pass. Freshman Cody Cordell has been a revelation at attack and is second in scoring behind Thompson.

“We’ve never really been out of any game,” Smith said. “Hopefully we can get some good wins in the home stretch.”

Although Oak Park entered the week 6-6, the Eagles have played brilliant at times.

Case in point: OPHS lost in double overtime to Agoura on March 19, and overcame a five-goal deficit to topple Cate in overtime last weekend.

Max Luchs is another strong goalie in the 101 Coast Association. The senior played attack last year, but his frame and physicality suit him well in the cage.

Kevin Marshall, a senior, is a defensive-minded midfielder who expends all of his energy on the field.

Ryan Weise, a senior midfielder, is a disciplined leader. Carrying 4.5 grade-point average, Weise turned down Princeton so he could attend Pepperdine next fall. Junior Connor Phillips also contributes defensively.

“We’ve had some growing pains,” Oak Park head coach Tarik Ergin said. “I’m looking for steady improvement and building team chemistry.

“We lost eight (of 10) starters from last year. I’m gratified in seeing their effort and development.”

Thousand Oaks (1-11) has struggled record-wise, but head coach Justin Eaton likes what he sees from his squad.

“We’ve improved every game,” said Eaton, who played college lacrosse at Ithaca. “Our goal is to finish as strong as possible.”

Sophomore goalie Dane Griffin has played like a grizzled veteran. He is the team’s most consistent performer.

Keegan Sauer, a sophomore, is a defensive stalwart, while sophomore attackman Connor Reilly leads the team in scoring.

The Lancers, who have picked up a win against Calabasas, lost 14 seniors to graduation. Griffin and Hans Molitor, a senior captain and attackman, are the only returning varsity players.