By Amy Al-Katib
Leader Intern
Despite losing 8-0 to the Lake Orion in their last regular season game May 21, the Oxford girls varsity soccer team remains confident and positive as its heads into district play.
‘It’s single round elimination,? said coach Gary Skrzycki. ‘But I think we’re gonna do really well against Marine City. We’re gonna bring them a good challenge,? he said.
Though the team moved up from 7th place last year to 6th place this year, Jackie Patterson, the assistant coach for the girls? junior varsity team, said they have hit somewhat of a plateau.
Coach Skryzcki agreed. ‘We’re kinda flat,? he said.
But he, along with the team members are taking the important steps that will continue to lead them up.
‘We’re good at communicating,? said Joy Grabenstein, sweeper. ‘And constructive criticism,? she added. ‘We’re very positive for the most part.?
The team demonstrated this at halftime during the game against the Dragons. Though they hadn’t scored a single goal against the opponent, coach Skryzcki sat with the girls, who were tired but anxious to talk, and asked them simply to analyze what was going on in the game.
‘What are you doing out there that’s good?? he asked. Followed by, ‘Now what do we need to work on??
The game against Lake Orion ended early with 17 minutes left on the clock.
Taylor Healy is one of three junior varsity players who were moved up to varsity level for the district tournament.
‘It will be fun no matter what,? she said. ‘And I think if we play hard we have a chance of winning. But if we play hard nothing else matters.?
‘Every team has its chemistry,? said Skrzycki. ‘Varsity girls are in a league of their own. There’s a reason why they’re on varsity, and they know it. As a coach, making sure I’m bringing the right challenge to them at every practice is my greatest challenge,? he said.
The girls move in districts after shutting out Marine City on Tuesday night, 3-0.
They are set to play Lapeer East on Cat turf on Friday at 6 p.m.