COLLEGE OF THE CANYONS NOTEBOOK: COC EXPECTS TO BE TESTED VS. MOORPARK.

Byline: Nathan Brown Staff Writer

The College of the Canyons football team might have a formidable opponent when it plays host to Moorpark Saturday night at 7.

COC (3-0, 1-0) has already defeated Chaffey (33-3), Grossmont (32-22) and Ventura (56-27), but has not faced an imposing defense.

Moorpark (2-1, 1-0) has that kind of defense.

``Their defense is good,'' COC head coach Chuck Lyon said. ``It'll be the best front line we've played against so far.''

Moorpark's lone loss this season was due mainly to mistakes they made in a 39-14 loss at Long Beach on Sept. 10.

``They just didn't play well against Long Beach,'' Lyon said. ``Turnovers really killed them. We'll have to be smart.''

COC brings a decent running tandem of its own in Brandon Clayton and Sean Edwards. Clayton has carried most of the workload with 167 yards in 44 carries, but has been held scoreless. Edwards has more success on fewer carries (10) with 116 yards and two touchdowns.

Quarterback Marcel Marquez has distributed the ball well as nine different receivers have three or more passes. He has also completed 61 percent of his passes for 544 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions.

--Polo seeks first win: Women's water polo coach Diana Stanich is trying to convert swimmers into water polo players and is making progress regardless of the team's record.

COC (0-4), although losing its first four games in the Cuesta tournament last week, will travel to L.A. Trade Tech on Friday to try and earn its first win of the season against an equally inexperienced team.

``It should be competitive,'' Stanich said. ``They're inexperienced also and have a similar ability.''

Because of the absence of high school water polo in Santa Clarita, Stanich cannot draw talent from the area but is having gradual success on converting some swimmers.

``Swimmers are used to swimming in lanes,'' Stanich said. ``In water polo, it more about the angles. We're just looking for improvement right now.''

Saugus graduate Kailee Bogio hopes to be cleared from a shoulder injury and could be available to play on Friday. Bogio has two goals on the season and teammates Christa Elias and Nicole Correa are also offensive threats.

--Contributing in Iowa Seniors Valishia Jenson and Cami Bangasser, both transfers from COC, are playing significant roles for William Penn's women's soccer program in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

Jenson, a Lancaster High graduate, has played in all six games for William Penn (4-3-1) at the midfield position and has scored two goals with one assist.

Bangasser has shared goalkeeping duties but looks to get more playing time during Mountain Classic Conference play. Bangasser has earned one shutout in 285 minutes played and has recorded 20 saves - giving the Saugus High graduate a save percentage of .870.

Nathan Brown, [phone]

nate.brown(at)dailynews.com