SOCCER COACH FINDS SUCCESS NICE SURPRISE.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Daily News Staff Writer

Ask any coach whether or not they're surprised when their team gets off to an excellent start and the response is usually the same. ``Not at all,'' they'll generally say. ``We expected this.''

But ask that same question to Simi Valley soccer coach Robert Looyen and he doesn't hesitate to answer truthfully.

``I'm definitely surprised,'' Looyen said. ``I had some real concerns about this team but we've definitely played well.''

The Pioneers are currently in first place in the Marmonte League. Today they host second-place Camarillo in a game Looyen labels the most important of the season to date.

``At the beginning of the year I felt that Camarillo would be one of the teams to beat,'' Looyen said. ``So we expect a tough game against them.''

Looyen's surprise over his own club stems from the fact that the Pioneers lost two key players to graduation in Sean Herrity and Robert Castunguay and then lost two others to academic difficulties before the start of the season.

The two players who were unavailable this year were both among Simi Valley's top goal producers last season - as were the two who graduated and are now playing college soccer. As a result, Looyen wondered how a club that was a high-scoring team a year ago would manage goals this year.

``I was worried about that,'' Looyen admits. ``The big question was where the goals would come from.''

What the Pioneers have ultimately proven is that although they may not score at the torrid pace of last season, they've been able to turn up the pressure defensively to make up the difference.

Instead of winning games with four, five or six goals, the Pioneers now win games by one or two goals.

And that's just fine with Looyen.

``The thing this team learned to do was find ways to win games and that's important,'' Looyen said.

Simi Valley does have an excellent player in John Gonzalez, who has 13 goals already this year. The versatile Gonzalez is an excellent athlete with speed and toughness.

``Right now my vote for the league MVP would have to be John,'' Looyen said.

A top football player, Gonzalez brings an inspired mentality to soccer. He controls the ball as well as anybody in the area and despite getting marked consistently from opposing defenders, he never seems to tire or back down.

``He's just a tough, tough, player,'' Looyen said. ``John gets beat up out there but he keeps getting up and doing the job.''

Defensively Looyen has been impressed with sophomore goalie Eric Cooper, who has five shutouts this year, and midfielders Craig Chelius and Pat Arriola. Looyen also feels that Steven Jakowchik has been playing well on defense.

Camarillo has been led by Mike Anger, a top defender, and goal scorers Chad Schutt, Ryan Geisler and Kevin Giroud

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Photo

Photo: Simi Valley coach Robert Looyen cites the prowess of players such as midfielder Craig Chelius for the Pioneers' first-place standing in the Marmonte League.

Andy Holzman/Special to the Daily News