Season Has Been a Blur So Far but Some Things Are in Focus

If it’s Thursday, this must be Oxnard . . . or Palmdale . . . or Sun Valley.

After watching 39 high school soccer games in the first 45 days of the season, I have to admit, the locations become a blur.

Nonetheless, here is a midseason report of sorts, culled from an avalanche of fast-moving futbol in the region:

Best players: Midfielders Erin Misaki of Hart and Carlos Morales of Reseda.

They have lived up to their status as members of U.S. under-18 girls’ and boys’ national pools.

Misaki’s field vision is unmatched and Morales has the best ball skills in the region in the last five years.

Most improved players: fullback Tibor Reszneki of Reseda and sweeper Imani Dorsey of Harvard-Westlake.

Reszneki was merely functional in the Regents’ run to the City Section title last season, but has become a top defender and key to the team’s attack.

Dorsey was a virtual unknown a year ago but her size, agility and skill in the air have made her a hot college prospect.

Best forward tandem: Evaristo Leon and Salvador Hernandez of Hueneme.

Although nursing injuries, these two jackrabbits in cleats have combined to score 23 goals and lift the Vikings from three victories last season to a 9-6-2 record.

“They work as a team and that’s what makes the difference,” said Rogelio Juarez, Hueneme’s coach. “They have speed and the skill to dribble and protect the ball.”

Most underrated players: fullback Jennifer Peterson of Simi Valley and sweeper Miguel Luquin of Poly.

Peterson makes up for limited physical ability with grit and impeccable positioning, and Luquin could be his team’s top midfielder or forward if he wasn’t needed on the back line.

Top newcomer: stopper Mike Erush of Birmingham.

Although his petulance is wearing thin with referees, this member of the U.S. under-17 national pool has been impressive in his first high school season.

Player squandering the most talent: forward Artour Mirzakhanian of Glendale.

He has all the tools but is woefully immature. Ejected from the Hart tournament title game at a crucial juncture and frequently benched by Coach Loi Phan, Mirzakhanian berates teammates and officials, and hustles only when the ball comes his way.

Best coaching performances: Fred Singer, Kennedy boys, and Brian Mand, Burbank girls.

Singer has built an inexperienced team with virtually no attack into a competitive unit in what might be the City’s toughest conference.

Mand, former state coach of the year in Delaware, has revived Burbank girls’ soccer in 14 months.

Strangest game injury: forward Kellie Cox of Quartz Hill.

She suffered a gash on a leg from an opponent’s acrylic fingernail at the Hart tournament.

“They don’t let you wear them in basketball, so why in soccer?” Coach Maury Cauchon of Quartz Hill said.

Player most likely to be crushed: midfielder Jenny Farenbaugh of Louisville.

A 14-year-old standout, Farenbaugh is 4 feet 11 and less than 90 pounds. She recently discovered her backside was sore because it’s at the height of defenders’ knees.

Player most likely to crush someone: forward Oscar Giangrasso of Burroughs.

Although 6-4 and 255 pounds, he recently was inserted into a game for his speed. Giangrasso was an All-Foothill League tackle.

Oddest ritual: forward Missy Fine of Harvard-Westlake.

Before taking throw-ins, Fine occasionally kisses the ball.

Funniest career ambition: senior Krissy Oakes of Birmingham.

Opponents find little amusement in Oakes’ 87 goals in three seasons, but the forward is an aspiring actress and stand-up comedian.

*

“It’s not where you are now, it’s where you are at the end of the season. Putting a third ring on our fingers is what’s important, not this game.”

--Mike Evans, girls’ coach at Chaminade, two-time defending Southern Section Division III champion, which lost, 2-0, Monday to Harvard-Westlake in league.

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Soccer Top 5

Rankings of region high schools by The Times’ sportswriters:

Boys

RK: 1

LW: 1

Team (League): Birmingham (NW Valley)

Rec.: 4-0-1

RK: 2

LW: 2

Team (League): Buena (Channel)

Rec: 12-2-3

RK: 3

LW: 3

Team (League): Highland (Golden)

Rec: 9-3-3

RK: 4

LW: 4

Team (League): Reseda (Valley Pac-8)

Rec: 11-3-1

RK: 5

LW: NR

Team (League): Rio Mesa (Pacific View)

Rec: 10-3-4

Girls

RK: 1

LW: 1

Team (League): Westlake (Marmonte)

Rec: 11-0-1

RK: 2

LW: 3

Team (League): Harvard-Westlake (Mission)

Rec: 11-2-1

RK: 3

LW: 2

Team (League): Chaminade (Mission)

Rec: 13-3-1

RK: 4

LW: 4

Team (League): Buena (Channel)

Rec: 13-2-1

RK: 5

LW: NR

Team (League): Canyon (Foothill)

Rec: 9-2