MOORPARK STAR FINDS SOLACE ON THE SOCCER FIELD.Byline: Gideon Rubin Staff Writer Even in the best of times, Moorpark College Moorpark College is a California-state funded community college located on a 134 acre (542,000 m²) property reclining on a hill in Moorpark, a town in Ventura County, California. soccer standout Oscar Sandoval never had it easy. He drives 160 miles, round trip, to and from his Littlerock home each school day, takes an 18-unit course load and works 20-plus hours each weekend at an East Palmdale swap meet swap meet n. An informal gathering for the barter or sale of used articles or handicrafts. . And then there are the demands of the soccer team. Sandoval could handle all of that. Learning that his mother, Ofelia Nunez-Sandoval, had been diagnosed with a malignant tumor malignant tumor n. A tumor that invades surrounding tissues, is usually capable of producing metastases, may recur after attempted removal, and is likely to cause death unless adequately treated. on her leg - and just weeks after his grandmother, Enedina Nunez-Jaramillo, was diagnosed with esophagus esophagus (ĭsŏf`əgəs), portion of the digestive tube that conducts food from the mouth to the stomach. When food is swallowed it passes from the pharynx into the esophagus, initiating rhythmic contractions (peristalsis) of the cancer - nearly pushed him past his breaking point. After resurrecting a once-dormant academic career and stepping on track for a Division I soccer scholarship, Sandoval was on the brink of throwing it all away. ``At one point in the season, I just didn't want to be out here anymore,'' Sandoval said. ``I just felt like so many things at once, and it was really overwhelming. ``I just wanted to give it all up, but I'm not a quitter quit·ter n. One who gives up easily. Noun 1. quitter - a person who gives up too easily individual, mortal, person, somebody, someone, soul - a human being; "there was too much for one person to do" . That was never part of who I am, so I kept pushing, and here we are at this point of the season where we're close to something pretty special.'' Sandoval, a sophomore midfielder who last season was the Western State Conference's leading scorer, has the Raiders (12-2-2, 9-1-1 going into Friday) on the brink their first conference championship since 1990. Wins in their two remaining regular-season games would clinch Clinch, river, c.300 mi (480 km) long, formed by the junction of two forks in SW Va., and flowing generally SW across E Tenn. to the Tennessee River at Kingston. the title. There's good news on the Sandoval family's health front, too: Both cancer cases are treatable. His mother will soon undergo a second surgical procedure doctors hope will eradicate the remaining diseased dis·eased adj. 1. Affected with disease. 2. Unsound or disordered. cells. His grandmother, who lives in Mexico, is taking chemotherapy and radiation treatments. ``It's tough, but you have to stay optimistic op·ti·mist n. 1. One who usually expects a favorable outcome. 2. A believer in philosophical optimism. op ,'' Sandoval said. ``I know they're fighting, and if you think about what they're going through, it's a lot more difficult than what I'm going through, so I have no reason to complain about my life.'' Sandoval, who came to Moorpark on the recommendation of former club coach Gary Breunner, is among seven Antelope Valley This article is about the Los Angeles County region. For the census-designated place in Wyoming, see Antelope Valley-Crestview, Wyoming. The Antelope Valley residents who play for the Raiders. Sandoval's quickness, ballhandling skills and finishing ability have attracted attention from several four-year schools, including Cal State Northridge and Division II Cal Poly Cal Poly may refer to:
``He's probably the most agile player I've ever seen,'' freshman defender Tim Knittel said. ``He looks like a ballerina.'' Said freshman midfielder Cesar Lopez, from Palmdale High: ``People just can't knock him off the ball. They hit him to the ground sometimes, but just gets back up. It's like he just floats.'' Moorpark coach Sean Roche is just as impressed with Sandoval's development as a person. Admittedly an ``awful'' student at Littlerock, Sandoval has maintained a grade-point average close to 3.0 at Moorpark. ``He's a wonderful young man in the sense that he has character traits that are very honorable,'' Roche said. ``He's a very compassionate young man.'' Sandoval is the team's go-to guy as much for advising teammates on their personal lives as for scoring game-winning goals. ``He's been through a lot in his own life, so he's someone who I know can give good advice,'' Knittel said. Sandoval believes playing soccer has brought some stability to his life. ``This is my ventilation from everything, from all the problems that I have,'' Sandoval said. ``I come on the field and I'm weightless. I just feel great, like I have no problems anymore.'' Gideon Rubin (818)713-3607 gideon.rubin(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Oscar Sandoval's time on the soccer field has helped him deal with his mother's and grandmother's illnesses. Tina Burch/Staff Photographer |
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