Oxford’s boys soccer team is aspiring for excellence, according to Varsity Soccer Head Coach John Thaler.

“(Our goals this season are) to remain in the Oakland Activities Association (OAA)White Division, not to be relegated down to the blue division, and to go as far as possible to the state tournament,” said Thaler.

The team opened the season with a promising start, securing a 3-2 win over the Royal Oak Ravens at the Country Day tournament on August 19.

Thaler said the team showcased some of their greatest strengths during that game, and throughout the season.

“I’d have to say cohesiveness is our strength. We’re working really well together right now, as we’ve shown when we won the Detroit Country Day tournament. We really jelled as a team right off the break for the year and started the season off with a pretty great start. It’s been pretty positive so far,” said Thaler.

Of course, every team has room for improvement and, according to Thaler, Oxford’s varsity soccer team already has a game-plan in place when it comes to advancing.

“We have some deficiencies in the speed department. But that’s something that we can work on with more possession and more control in our games,” said Thaler.

Thaler says he’s looking to two of his players to lead the team this season.

Senior forward Nick Wright, a returning two-time all-state player, was listed by Thaler as one of the team’s stand-out athletes– stating that he kept the team scoring last year. “I’m looking forward to him doing the same this year, if not more so,” Thaler added.

Senior sweeper Ethan Cutler was also named by Thaler as one of the team’s most valuable players, noting his ability to consistently shut down offensive threats. “He’s been holding my defense down and keeping the balls out of the net,” said Thaler.

The team recently defeated the Flushing Raiders 3-1 in a non-league match-up on September 15, moving them to 5-5-1 overall.

“We’re looking forward to another great season, continuing our winning ways within the soccer program. We’re going to try and continue to make the community and our school proud,” added Thaler.