MOORPARK NOTEBOOK: ENJOYING BEST OF BOTH WORLDS CLINTON EXCELS AS BOTH GOALKEEPER AND SCORER FOR MOORPARK.

Byline: Heather Gripp Staff Writer

MOORPARK - As a goalkeeper for the Moorpark College women's soccer team, Krista Clinton was supposed to spend more time preventing goals than scoring them. But losing three starters to knee injuries during the season opener has a way of changing plans.

Clinton has emerged as the Raiders' leading scorer while splitting time between keeper and forward. She is an example of the adaptability that makes the Raiders a contender in the Western State Conference North Division.

``The team is trying to do the best it can to survive,'' Moorpark coach Eric Privat said. ``(The injuries) left an open door for other girls to step in.''

The Raiders already were trying to fill a void left by Valerie Robles, who set the school scoring record as a freshman but decided not to play this season. Then, in the season opener at Harbor, Jessica Herrera, Megan Davey and Andrea Quinn each suffered season-ending injuries on a field Privat described as ``atrocious'' and ``very unsafe.''

The injuries left Moorpark shuffling positions and looking to revitalize an offense that has seen a significant drop in scoring. The Raiders defeated Harbor 11-1 but scored a combined 11 goals in their next six games. Four of those goals were by Clinton in a 4-0 victory over Citrus on Sept. 19, increasing her scoring total to 12 goals and four assists.

Clinton also continues to contribute defensively. She shares goalkeeping duties with Michelle Flood and Robin Huffer for a team that had posted three shutouts and was 6-0-1 entering Friday's conference opener.

``We have the talent to compete,'' Privat said. ``We have the talent to contend. It's just a matter of whether we can put the ball in the back of the net.''

--Twice as nice: The women's volleyball team switched to a 6-2 offense this season, giving sophomores Ashley Williamson and Nevena Siljegovic both a chance to set.

The switch was made to get the most out Siljegovic, a first-team All- America last season who recently committed to USC.

``She's a great hitter, too,'' Raiders coach Steve Burkhart said of the Royal High graduate. ``We need Nevena to do more than just set this year. She's a great player. We need her all-around skills.''

She had a match-high 17 kills in Wednesday's four-game loss to undefeated Irvine Valley, which dropped the Raiders to 1-1 entering this weekend's San Diego Mesa tournament.

Siljegovic anchors a lineup that is going for a fourth consecutive WSC title despite returning just two starters. Advancing at least as far as the state semifinals each of the past three years has left Moorpark with high expectations.

``It's a high standard to live up to,'' Burkhart said. ``This group has that kind of skill (and) maybe they'll be back there at the end of the season. ... We definitely have some kids that can play.''

--Shortage on the court: One thing the women's volleyball team lacks is height. Of the 14 players on the Raiders' roster, none are taller than 5-foot-10.

--Good start: The wrestling team opened its season last weekend by going undefeated at the Victor Valley Duals. The Raiders beat Victor Valley 40-3, Club America 47-0 and Golden West 30-9 before defeating Mt. San Antonio 33-0 in the final. Moorpark had seven members go undefeated at the tournament.

The Raiders' next meet is Oct. 11 at the Santa Ana tournament.

Heather Gripp, [phone]

heather.gripp(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

Kristen Soppe (11) is part of a Moorpark team trying to overcome a spate of early-season injuries.

Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer