New playing style ‘paying dividends’ for booters

Front row (from left: Bryan Calixto, Dylan Brown, Nicholas Morawski, Mason Upham, Luke Huller, Colin Deroso andCavan Vance. Middle row (from left): Christian Mendoza, Christopher Escalante, Matthew Wolfe, Tristan Bennett, Zain Khambaty, Michael Gonzales, Rory Vince and Mario Palacios. Back row (from left:  JohnThaler, Pedro Bottene, Sam Huller, Brent Bayley, Zachary Townsend, Jesus Escalante, Coda Mendoza and Barrie Vince. Photo by Visual Sports Network.
Front row (from left): Bryan Calixto, Dylan Brown, Nicholas Morawski, Mason Upham, Luke Huller, Colin Deroso and Cavan Vance. Middle row (from left): Christian Mendoza, Christopher Escalante, Matthew Wolfe, Tristan Bennett, Zain Khambaty, Michael Gonzales, Rory Vince and Mario Palacios. Back row (from left): John Thaler, Pedro Bottene, Sam Huller, Brent Bayley, Zachary Townsend, Jesus Escalante, Coda Mendoza and Barrie Vince. Photo by Visual Sports Network.

Having a few games under their belts this season, the Oxford boys’ varsity soccer players are looking toward a season of building on each other’s’ talents.

Head Coach John Thaler said each player brings their own set of skills to the game.

The team has 14 returners and eight players new to varsity.

Senior players include Jesus Escalante, Mason Upham, Coda Mendoza, Cavan Vince, Brent Bayley, Michael Gonzalez, Oscar Banuelos Garcia and Mario Palacios.

In the six games played this season, the boys have racked up three wins, two ties and one loss. One of the tied games, against Avondale, was the team’s first league game this season.

Thaler said he thinks the team is off to a “great start” and that they “have a lot to build upon.”

In the Oakland Activities Association white division this year, the boys hope to finish on top and go to district finals.

Thaler is having his team focus on a new playing style that emphasizes controlled possession and short passes on the field, which he says is “paying dividends so far.”

The boys play next away on Sept. 6 against the Fenton Tigers.

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