The Wildcat varsity soccer team hosted the Raiders of Almont in a non-league match-up on Saturday Sept. 26.
Oxford walked away with a 2-1 victory.
‘Oxford soccer has been on an upswing as of late and is just now starting to get injured players healthy.? Saturday’s game was another turn in the right direction,? explained Head Coach John Thaler. ‘Even though we still have some key players out due to injuries, the rest of the boys have stepped up to fill the gaps.?
Almont took hold of the match early on with a backside goal on a turnover in the first half, which ended in a 1-0 lead.
‘We got careless early on and were taken advantage of when Almont scored on a turnover in the first half,? Thaler explained.
The Wildcats increased pressure in the second half. This, along with their high-tempo-style of play, made for a winning combination that allowed the Wildcats to get back in the game.
Senior captain Greg Knox launched a long throw, which sophomore Jacob Sharpe attacked and headed the ball home to tie the game.
The winning goal came on a free-kick from about 40 yards out. Senior captain Devan DeJong served it up to the far post and freshman Enrique Yebra headed the ball to go up 2-1
Juniors Walker Kennedy and Eddie Diaz Vela split time as the goalie to secure the win.
‘The boys had a long six-day game/practice schedule and were glad they finally had a day off after a great game on Saturday,? Thaler told this reporter.
Earlier in the week, the boys had two ties. The first was a 1-1 tie in a non-league match-up against the Lapeer Lightning on Sept. 22 and the second was another 1-1 tie against OAA White rival Lake Orion.
The Wildcats overall record is now 6-2-5.
The boys next match will be Oct. 2 away against West Bloomfield. They will return home Oct. 6 to face Royal Oak.
Both matches will begin at 7 p.m.
‘With key players expected to return, the boys are ready to get back to our original lineup and continue to impress (during) each and every game,? Thaler said.