Oxford 3, Fenton 2 (20T PK Shootout) at Linden ? Oxford was ready to take on FML powerhouse Fenton in the second round of district play. Oxford came out flat in the first half and were scored on in the first 10 minutes of the game. It was the sort of thing that needed to happen to jumpstart the Wildcats. Oxford then got on the board with a great cross from sophomore Bryan Ward to connect with Zac Wasylyna. With less than 10 minutes to go in the first half David Kourtjian found Wasylyna on the far corner who shot a wicked curve into the upper right to go up 2-1. In the second half, Fenton came out strong and slid a bouncing ball off of keeper Shane Rondy’s knee to tie the game at 2-2. With 25 minutes left in the game, Fenton was awarded a PK. Shane Rondy came up big and stopped the shot to keep the game at 2-2. The game ended 2-2 in regulation. The game went into overtime and the first team to score would win within two 15 minute halves. In the first overtime, both teams came out strong but could not convert. In the second overtime, Zac Wasylyna had a great shot on goal that was barely stopped by the keeper. The overtime ended without either team scoring. The team then faced a shootout in which five players from each team take PK’s. The team with the most scored would win. Oxford’s Brandon McKay, Bryan Ward, and Josh DuVal all scored while only two of Fenton’s players could connect. Oxford’s Shane Rondy came up big and stopped one while two others were shot wide and over. Oxford will now makes it’s third straight District final appearance.
Oxford 0, Linden 1 (OT) at Linden ? The Wildcats were ready for the challenge placed before them in the District Finals. Playing a team three times in one season can be difficult for both teams. Oxford was ready to avenge an early season loss 6-2 and a close home opener 1-0 to the Eagles in Oxford’s third straight district final. Oxford came in battered and bruised after a two OT win over Fenton two days prior. As soon as the boys stepped onto the field they were ready for war. We had anticipated meeting Linden in finals after going one-two in league standings. The first half saw a lot of opportunities for Linden to go up but junior goal keeper Shane Rondy kept Oxford in the game with five great saves to shut down the third ranked Eagles. Oxford came into the second half more determined to get the goal to change the tide of the game. Oxford’s defense of Alex Austin, Josh Reaume, Mark Jones, Erik Anderson, and Josh DuVal played one of their strongest games of the year. Once again, Rondy came up big in net to stop another half dozen chances by Linden. The game ended in regulation 0-0. Overtime has been something we are used to. We won the district final in 2002 in overtime, won the district final in 2003 in a PK shootout after a 3-3 tie in two overtimes, and the district semi-final that went to a PK shootout after 2-2 tie in two overtimes. We have the focus and the stamina to take on these long games. Unfortunately with less than two minutes in the first overtime Linden knocked the ball around in the box to put in the golden goal. The whole team would have never gotten this far if they had not played as a team all season. I am extremely proud of each and every one of my players. They came together and worked hard and gave all that they had all season long. Senior starters Brandon McKay and captain Paul Ebenhoeh held the team together to make a great run in the state tournament.
Oxford’s 2004 season record: 14 ? 6 ? 2