By Lance Farrell
Leader Staff Writer

It was a defensive battle between the Andover and Oxford girls varsity soccer teams on Tuesday, April 17.
The game ended knotted at 2-2.
OHS goalie Darien Bandel racked up 11 saves.
In Thursday’s match, Bandel extended her defensive dominance with 21 saves against vaunted Royal Oak.
The game went into the half tied 1-1, and despite the aggressive OHS effort, the Wildcats came up short in the away match, 4-2.
Coach Ferris complimented his entire team for their strong effort, especially against a team that’s ‘probably going to take the league.?
Having to play without keep defender, senior, and captain Paige Brinker adds an additional challenge, Ferris confided.
In an April 22 re-match, the OHS women dominated home team Kearsley 5-1.
This match was rescheduled from a rained out March 22 game.
Oxford had led that game 1-0 with 13:46 in the first half when time was called due to rain.
In a triumphant return to form, senior captain Paige Brinker scored late in the first half to lift Oxford to a 2-1 lead at the break.
OHS divided the scoring duties in the second half between Chelsea Johnson with one goal and Melissa Gierak with two goals.
Oxford’s keeper Darien Bandel had 9 saves in another standout defensive performance.
On Monday, April 23, OHS fell to North Farmington 2-0, despite keeper Bandel’s 9 saves.
The game was a defensive bout most of the way, until North Farmington broke the scoreless tie with 13 minutes left, and then followed with a second goal in the last five minutes.
The girls soccer team now has a league record of 2-5-1 and an overall record 5-8-1.