GIRLS' SOCCER: MOORPARK 0, THOUSAND OAKS 0 BATTLE OF STANDOUTS ENDS IN DRAW MOORPARK TIES FOR FOURTH TIME.

Byline: KEVIN CONNELLY  Special to the Daily News

MOORPARK -- There was no question about who the top two players on the field were Friday night.

For the Thousand Oaks girls' soccer team, it was freshman striker Michelle Cruz, who is quickly establishing herself as one of the top offensive threats in the area. And then there was Moorpark's Kaitlin Paletta, the Marmonte League's reigning defensive player of the year, who has already verbally committed to Cal.

Those standouts met early and often, but neither was able to outshine the other as Moorpark struggled to create enough scoring chances and the Lancers squandered their opportunities in a 0-0 tie at Moorpark High.

Thousand Oaks (8-4-1, 0-1-1) registered 16 shots, including nine on goal, but was ultimately unable to score. Moorpark (1-2-4, 0-0-3) finished with just four shots on the night en route to another scoreless tie.

``It wasn't our strategy at all to sit back and play for the tie,'' Moorpark coach Frank Paletta said. ``We're pleased with our defensive performance, but we want to come out and win these games.''

The Lancers controlled possession for much of the game, but had trouble getting clear shots.

Moorpark's best scoring chance came 22 minutes into the first half, when junior Kaitlin Walters fired straightaway from 15 yards into the outstretched hands of Lancers goalkeeper Laura Brain.

It was the only shot of the half for the Musketeers, who remain well within contention in league despite going winless so far.

``Nobody has beaten us yet, have they?'' Paletta said. ``We're not worried at all.''

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