By Kristi McDevitt
Sports Correspondent
The varsity boys rounded out the first round of their league schedule with a victory over Clio last Monday. Oxford routed the Mustangs in a 10-0 victory that improved the Wildcats record to 3-1-3 in the FML.
Oxford’s defense only allowed Clio two shots on goal in the first half, and two in the second. Defenders Alex Austin, Josh DuVal, Erik Anderson, and Rob Stone did an excellent job of keeping Clio out of scoring contention.
Oxford went into the second half up 4-0, and finished off the Mustangs by scoring six more goals before the end of the game. Dave Kourtjian had a hat trick, while Josh Reaume finished with two goals.
Captain Alex Austin scored his first career goal off a Gethin Angell assist, while Erik Anderson also scored his first goal of his career in the game. Senior goalkeeper Shane Rondy earned his 7th shutout of the season.
Last Wednesday Oxford traveled to Linden for the long awaited rematch with the Eagles. Linden handed Oxford their first and only loss of the season back in September. Oxford out-shot the Eagles the entire game, and the Wildcats had some great opportunities to score throughout the game, but Linden’s goalkeeper saved the game for the Eagles on a few occasions. Oxford welcomed back junior captain Mark Jones from an injury and led the defense of captains Josh DuVal and Alex Austin, and junior Erik Anderson. Linden had a few shots on goal but senior keeper Shane Rondy recorded his fourth shutout in the league, his eighth overall. The game ended with both teams scoreless, notching another tie to the Wildcats record. Oxford moves to 3-1-4 in the FML, and 8-1-4 overall.
To round out the week’s schedule, Oxford hosted Notre Dame Prep on Saturday. Oxford didn’t get to play Prep last year due to scheduling conflicts, so this year it was priority one that the Wildcats get to play them. As usual, Oxford controlled most of the game with several opportunities to score. Both teams went into the half scoreless. Oxford’s offense was rewarded off a goal from senior forward Dave Kourtjian from a great slotted pass from junior Zac Wasylyna. Kourtjian shot a low, hard shot past the diving Prep keeper who couldn’t get a hand on it. Wasylyna set up another goal on a free kick, which found senior captain and defender Josh DuVal who headed the ball in to put the Wildcats up 2-0. Oxford notably had d’j? vu, when two years ago the Wildcat were up on Prep 2-0 until Notre Dame scored four unanswered goals to win the game. Oxford wasn’t going to let history repeat itself. The Wildcats earned another free kick outside the box that Wasylyna drilled in to score. With less than 20 minutes left in the game, defender Erik Anderson dribbled from midfield and beat two Prep defenders to curl a shot over the keeper’s head to score and solidify the win as Oxford defeated Prep 4-0. Shane Rondy earned his ninth shutout of the season. Oxford’s overall record improves to 9-1-4.