By Mike Stechschulte
Junior – Oxford High School
The Oxford Wildcats are turning up the heat late in the season, winning three games in a row, and only allowing 1 goal in those three games.
The Wildcats first hit the field to defeat the Brandon Blackhawks by a score of 2-0. Oxford seniors and captains Jimmy Henry and Keane Kalso scored the goals to power Oxford to their second win over Brandon this season. In the team’s first meeting, the Wildcats won by a score of 5-1.
Against Lapeer West on Oct. 8, the Wildcats showed the Panthers how the game is played with a final score of 5-0. Several key players contributed to the win: senior Jimmy Henry scored twice, including one goal off a penalty kick; seniors Keane Kalso and Chris Schnur did their part in providing other goals; junior Paul Ebenhoeh later added one; and Andy Forte had 2 assists. This is the second win for Oxford against West.
On Oct. 13, the Wildcats played the Stoney Creek Cougars and once again walked away with a 2-1 victory on their home field. In the first half, Stoney Creek opened the scoring with a goal midway through the half. The Cougars held their lead until halftime, virtually shutting down any chances the Wildcats were generating on offense.
In the second half, however, Kalso picked up the tempo for Oxford scoring on a long free kick that sailed over the Cougars’ netminder’s head. About ten minutes later, Jimmy Henry netted the Wildcats another goal by deflecting the ball into the net off a long kick by Eddie Summers. Oxford sustained the pressure throughout the remainder of the game to claim the win.
“I thought we really dominated the game after the first half,” said Junior Rob Cerato, “We had good control and we were really playing well.”
The Wildcats have two games remaining in the regular season: Linden tonight (Wednesday) and Holly on Oct. 17. After getting a bye in the first round, the Cats first district game will be Oct. 22 against the winner of Lapeer East versus Lapeer West.
Mike Stechschulte is a Junior at Oxford High School and plans to major in the field of journalism.