By Kristi McDevitt
Sports Contributor
The Girls varsity soccer team was looking for a fresh start this 2005 season, and they’ve gotten just that. Under the guidance of new head coach John Thaler, the Ladycats are showing a new spring in their step. With a 0-24 record in the league the past two seasons, and only 2 non-league wins recorded last year, the Ladycats were hungry for a win in the season opener versus Waterford Mott.
At Waterford-Mott, the Ladycats defeated the Corsairs 2-1 in the non-league opener. In the first half of play, senior captain Christine Fortier booted in the first goal of the season off a great pass from senior defenseman Jolene Patterson. The second half effort of Oxford defensemen Ashley Marshall, Chelsea McIntosh, Jackie Patterson, and Jolene Patterson didn’t allow the Corsairs to break through their tough defense. Midway through the second half, Senior Darci Kujawa made a great pass to Sophomore Sam Bono, who in turn slotted the ball to Junior Lisa Reile, who blasted her first goal of the season past the Waterford goalie. With the Ladycats up 2-0, and a shut-out nearing for Oxford goalie and sophomore Kelly Henry came up with a big stop on a Corsairs breakaway with about 10 minutes remaining in the game, but minutes later allowed the Corsairs their only goal. Oxford played hard and controlled the ball and momentum for 75% of the game, hardly allowing Mott any opportunity to score. Oxford emerged victorious defeating Waterford Mott 2-1, and notching their first win of the season (1-0-0 overall).
Last Wednesday, in their first Flint Metro League game of the season, Oxford hosted the Linden Eagles. This game was to be an early test for the team, taking on last year’s FML champs. Linden has dominated the league the last four years in a row and was ranked Top 10 in the state in Division 3 last year. Despite their opponents winning record, the Ladycats didn’t shy away from their competition and came from behind in the second half to end the game in a tie. Head coach John Thaler attributes his squad’s accomplishment to great teamwork. Even as the team was behind in the second half, they continued to play hard and create opportunities to score. They didn’t give up and that attitude paid off in the tie.
Oxford’s Sam Bono scored first on a free kick from Jolene Patterson to jump out to a 1-0 lead, but Linden scored late in the half to tie it up 1-1. Action continued after the half and the Eagles scored an early goal to move up 2-1, and then again on an insurance goal to move up 3-1. Despite the Eagle’s lead the Oxford kickers didn’t give up, as junior Lisa Reile fed a great pass across the mouth of the goal to find a streaking Gena Nelson to put the ball pass Linden’s keeper and pull within one. With about 10 minutes remaining, Sam Bono stole a pass from the back line and beat three Linden defenders to score the goal and secure the tie for the Ladycats. Oxford’s overall record improved to 1-0-1, 0-0-1 in the FML and has Oxford fans hoping the program has taken a long awaited step forward.