Victory is sweet and for the first time in two years the Oxford Varsity Lady Cat kickers opened the 2005 soccer season with a win.
Not including the season opening win against Waterford Mott, Head Coach John Thaler said the team has already matched their total Flint Metro League wins over last season.
In league play, the Lady Cats are 1-1-1 with a win against Holly, a loss to Fenton and a tie with Linden.
‘Linden won the league for the past four years and we tied them,? said Thaler. ‘That in itself is really big for the girls because we are always looking to be at that level of play.?
Seven seniors have returned to the team this season.
Thaler is counting on senior Kehly Hicks to control center field distribution while mid-fielder senior Melissa Brownrigg aggressively keeps keeps the ball in play.
Thaler said senior Anneliese McKeown is an aggressive and successful defender who demonstrates control, while Darci Kujawa will play both offense and defense depending on what’s needed at the ti,e.
‘Darci is excellent at throwing the other team off their game and (makes) her shots hard,? Thaler said.
Thaler said Jolene Patterson is confident in her control of the back-field while captain Christine Fortier, who played defense for the past three years, was moved to forward early in the season which Thaler said was a natural move for her. ‘Christine is an all around great motivator to the team,? Thaler said.
‘All the girls have adjusted and are giving 100 percent,? he said, adding that the team will look also look for leadership from Nicole Bennett, who Thaler said has great vision on the field, always knowing where to pass ball for the next goal.
In addition to solid talent from his senior players, Thaler said the strength of the varsity team lays in their great attitude of juniors Captain Genevieve Nelson, Victoria Lopez, Lisa Reile and Chelsea McIntosh along with sophomores Jacquelyn Pastewski, Ashley Marshall, Kelly Henry, and Samantha Bono.
Bono returns to the team as a strong netter, already scoring three key points and a solid assist in the past three games. ‘We have younger players that can step up and hold their own in the league,? Thaler said.