While the Oxford boys? varsity soccer team has already kicked off the season with a 4-0-1 record, Head Coach John Thaler expects tough play throughout the rest of the season.
‘There is a lot of parity in the OAA White . . . There are a lot of good teams and there is going to be a lot of battles. You’re not going to see any blowouts,? Thaler said. ‘They’re going to be really close 2-1 games like we’ve had for the most part, so far.?
Speaking of tough play, Thaler looks at Stoney Creek, Rochester Adams and Clarkston as ‘teams to watch.?
‘Stoney plays tough teams and has a tough schedule. Same with Clarkston. They always peak at the right time, toward the end of the season,? Thaler said, noting that it was Clarkston who knocked them out of the state tournament last year. ‘Adams is always tough, they went to the state finals last year.?
‘These local teams are good,? he added. ‘They (have) quality players and quality programs and great coaches.?
As far as match-ups go, Thaler is looking forward to their rematch again Lake Orion on Sept. 24.
‘We played them at home and tied them 2-2,? Thaler said. ‘We came back from being down two and tied it up. It was a good, solid hard-fought game.?
He noted they also enjoy playing their old Flint Metro League rival, Fenton.
‘We purposely put them on the schedule every year because we like playing them,? Thaler added. ‘I’m good friends with the coach, so it’s a good time for all of us.?
With a 23-man roster, Thaler is looking to junior Nick Wright and seniors Connor Bandel, Devan DeJong and Greg Knox to lead the team.
Wright scored 19 goals last season and was All State ? Honorable Mention and OAA 1 team.
‘Nick is one of the captains. He scored quite a few goals last year and he’s doing pretty well right now,? Thaler said. ‘I expect a high output from him this season.?
Bandel had 10 shutouts as goalie last year and the fewest goals allowed in a season at 14.
‘He’s already got three shutouts and he’s doing well,? Thaler said. ‘He’s a great role model for guys who will come up into that goalie position.?
DeJong had five goals and 15 assists last season. ‘He’s another captain who’s doing well. He had a hat-trick the other night against Seaholm,? Thaler said. ‘He’s controlling most of the game and does exactly what I ask him to do and is a good team leader.?
Knox had seven goals, seven assists and 1 Team All-District, as well as OAA 1 Team.
‘He is another captain and great player,? Thaler said. ‘I call him ‘the professor? of the team. He knows the game very well and coaches the boys along when I can’t be on the field. He’s got a great knack for the game. He sees things way in advance.?
He’s looking to other returnees to step up including juniors Ethan Wright and Bradley Bayley and seniors Trevor Dean and Nathan Sharpe.
‘They know their role,? Thaler said. ‘When they get in (the game), they do exactly what I expect them to do.?
The goal of this year is simply ‘to progress and get better as the season goes along.? Thaler is also hoping they ‘peak at the right time,? which would be at the state tournament.
‘We had a great run last year. Everything clicked at the right time,? he added. ‘If we replicate that, I’d think we’d be very happy.?
Oxford went 18-2-2 overall last year and won both the OAA Blue Championship and the district championship.
Another goal is to give some of the younger players some ‘quality time.?
‘Getting a feel for what the varsity season is like as opposed to playing freshman or JV,? Thaler noted.
The overall strength of the team is their chemistry. ‘The boys are jelling quite well together,? Thaler said. ‘I’m just trying to keep them motivated and not to get too cocky and keep their confidence in check. (If they do that), I think we’ll be all right.?
Overall, Thaler is thankful to the community. ‘I just appreciate the community support,? he said. ‘They donated quite a bit to the program to help with some of those equipment needs that we have and the boys are very appreciative.?
The boys will return to the field at home Sept. 10 against Avondale. The game will begin at 7 p.m.