The Wildcat Booters started district playoffs strong last week when they beat the Lake Orion Dragons 1-0.
It was their first win against Orion after having tied them twice earlier in the season.
‘I guess the old saying is true, that ‘a third time’s a charm,?? said Coach John Thaler. “The Wildcats played a great disciplined game from beginning to end. The seniors were outstanding!”
The tempo of the game was very back and forth until Oxford finally got on the scoreboard when senior captain Devan deJong ripped a shot that found the back of the net after the initial shot came off the post from Nick Wright. Oxford would hold the line into the half.
The Dragons pressed more numbers forward in the second half, but the defense held strong. Senior keeper and captain Connor Bandel only had to make one save off a redirected shot off an Oxford player. Oxford’s defensive line held strong all night and rarely let balls into the final third. Oxford continued to press and had a few chances on goal. The Cats ultimately held on for the win.
Unfortunately, the boys post-season run came to an end as they suffered a 4-2 loss at the hands of Stoney Creek in the district semifinals. The Cats ended the season with a record of 11-3-8.
‘Oxford played a great game and gave everything they had up until the last minute of play,? Thaler said.
Oxford’s junior captain Nick Wright scored a penalty kick after being taken down in the box to begin the climb back from being down by four in the second half. The Wildcats pressure paid off with junior Connor Novack hitting the back of the net after a set piece was played in from the outside. Bandel also made numerous saves and came off his line to disrupt any Cougar advance on goal. With time winding down, Stoney Creek maintained the two-goal lead.
“We just played a better team that night,” Thaler added. “Any other night and we’d have been neck and neck.”
‘Seniors Connor Bandel, Chris Lint, Nathan Sharpe, Greg Knox, Devan deJong and Trevor Dean had a fantastic season and made all of us very proud of their dedication to Oxford soccer. They represented their school, community and families with pure class,? Thaler said. ‘They have been part of a program that had only five losses in the past two seasons and 29 wins. Very few schools have achieved such a record in Division I and in the toughest conference in the state (OAA). It’s been great representing our program, school and community with pride. They will be truly missed.?