AGOURA'S POLO TRIO; SENIORS ROSA, LARSEN, LEE PROVIDE TEAM'S HEART AND SOUL.

Byline: Heather Gripp Staff Writer

Justin Rosa acknowledged each player by name as the opposing teams shook hands.

The Agoura High goalie's knowledge of the opposition after Friday's first-round playoff game may have surprised the Rio Mesa boys' water polo team, but it is something his teammates have come to expect.

Rosa voluntarily goes to games in which he is not playing, videotapes contests, studies them and writes scouting reports to help his team.

Just as important to the Chargers is the knowledge of handling pressure situations and what it takes to win big games, which is why Rosa and fellow returning senior starters Hans Larsen and Jon Lee are such valuable parts of Agoura's drive for a Southern Section Division IV title.

The trio won a Marmonte League championship as juniors before being eliminated in the division semifinals. Their roles have changed from a year ago and success hasn't come as easily, but their wisdom and determination rubs off on their young teammates and earned the Chargers a spot in today's quarterfinal at home against Ventura.

``Everybody just had to step it up a notch this year,'' Lee said.

``We kind of approach it as one last chance, one last thing before we leave,'' Rosa said. ``It's the end of my high school career, but I want to leave an impression for others to remember, like how it's gonna make a difference what you do now. You have to work hard from the start.''

Although Rosa readily accepted the role of team leader and had help from the other seniors - including utility player Rob Kane, who was a reserve on last season's team - getting the Chargers to bond and play with the intensity of last year's highly motivated group took time. Agoura (16-9) experienced a rough nonleague schedule and failed to defend its league title.

``At the beginning of the year, I thought we were in trouble,'' Larsen said, ``but we've gotten better. We're really pulling together at the right time. The reality's hit us: If we lose, we're done.''

The graduation of last year's leading scorer and All-Southern Section player Mike Campbell left Larsen with the bulk of the scoring responsibility. Although others, such as junior Matt Monaco, frequently score, Larsen is the one to step up in clutch situations. The three-year varsity player leads the team with 81 goals and has 15 assists and 45 steals.

``I like it,'' Larsen said. ``At the end of the game, it's real tight, I'll have the ball and have a chance to do something. If we lost the game and I gave it my best shot, I know I did what I could. It's harder to accept if you don't get a chance. You're wondering what you could have done.''

Lee has 20 goals and 16 assists, but the hole guard makes his greatest contribution defensively. Lee, who replaced the 1998 Marmonte defensive MVP, uses his quickness to his advantage and remains strong despite receiving the brunt of opponents' physical abuse. He has 53 steals, many of them within the last few weeks.

``Lately, Jon's been playing really well,'' Agoura coach Jason Rosenthal said. ``He's really come on and helped us out.''

Rosa earned all-league honors last season in his first year on varsity and is again a steady force in front of the net as his scouting helps him anticipate what's unfolding in front of him. He plans to play at Ventura College then go into coaching.

``Justin is the heart and soul of this team,'' Rosenthal said. ``He's out there everyday working harder than anyone.''

Rosa's leadership rarely ceases. He goes around school talking to his teammates throughout the day, making sure they are ready for games. His teammates said he helps them even with non-game problems.

``My own goal was just to show the younger guys what it takes,'' Rosa said. ``You have to give 100 percent, even if it hurts or it's cold or you feel crummy. The day they stepped on to the deck here, they made a commitment to the team. Four years ago, I made a commitment and I stuck with it.''

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Photo

PHOTO (color in Simi edition only) Jon Lee, left, Justin Rosa and Hans Larsen have provided leadership and scoring for Agoura's water polo team.

John McCoy/Staff Photographer