“New” kids on the block in Harbor League

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The New Community Jewish boys’ soccer program spent much of last season searching for an identity. The Jaguars found it upon the midseason arrival of new Coach Matthew Vacca, who focused more on the future than the present. That ‘future’ could be now in West Hills.

The Jaguars have begun the season 5-0 and appear to pose the most serious threat to Animo Leadership’s reign of supremacy atop the Harbor League. Led by senior striker Jesse Fishman, who has tallied 12 goals and five assists, New Community Jewish has netted 37 goals and allowed only four. Ryan Snyder, another senior, has added six goals and four assists and junior goalie Garrett Pemstein has saved 20 of 23 shots.

New Community Jewish already has victories over four of its seven Harbor League opponents but has yet to play Animo, the defending Southern Section Division VI champion, which is off to a modest 7-2-2 start after a perfect 30-0-0 mark last season. The teams meet for the first time Jan. 24 at Balboa Park (the Jaguars’ home field) and again Jan. 31 at Ed Vincent Park in Inglewood. New Community Jewish is eager to avenge 14-0 and 9-0 losses to the Aztec Eagles last season.

If common opponents are any indication, the Jaguars should hold their own against Animo. Both teams own road victories over league rival Ribet Academy--and by similar scores. New Community Jewish outscored Ribet, 8-2, while Animo defeated the Fighting Frogs, 7-1.

For now, Animo is still king of the hill in the Harbor League. The Jaguars, meanwhile, represent the new kids on the block. They have a ways to climb ... but they see the summit.

-- Steve Galluzzo, guest blogger

-- Image www.clipart.com