By Kristi McDevitt
Sports Correspondent
Coming off their district title triumph, the varsity soccer team was ready to set their sights on their next prize- the regional championship.
Four teams advanced to the regional from their respective districts.
The winner of the Oxford vs. Mt. Pleasant game was set to play the winner of the East Lansing vs. Lapeer East game in the final.
Last Tuesday at Fenton, Oxford hurdled their first obstacle standing in their way for the regional crown, Mt. Pleasant.
Oxford got on the board first with a corner kick by junior Zac Wasylyna that found junior captain Mark Jones to head in the ball for the goal.
Oxford continued to create numerous opportunities to score, out shooting the Oilers 14-2, but couldn’t convert, and the first half ended with the Wildcats up 1-0. In the second half, Mt. Pleasant took advantage of a small mistake by Oxford and scored their first goal to tie it 1-1.
Shortly thereafter, Mt. Pleasant earned a free kick outside the box, which was mishandled by Oxford’s keeper only to be punched in by Mt. Pleasant player to go up a goal. With ten minutes left in the game, Oxford earned a penalty kick.
Senior captain Josh DuVal stepped up to the challenge and converted to tie the game a two apiece.
At the end of regulation, the Wildcats were tied and entering overtime down a player due to a red card. Oxford knew they had to step up their game and play great soccer.
Neither team was able to score in the first overtime, but Oxford’s luck quickly changed in the first minute of the second overtime.
The Wildcats earned a corner kick and once again it was Wasylyna starting it off for the Wildcats, and this time it was senior captain Alex Austin who would finish.
Austin back heeled the ball and rocketed his shot past the Oiler’s keeper for the win in the sudden death overtime. It was Austin’s third goal of the season and his second in the state tournament.
Despite their phenomenal season record, Oxford headed into Friday’s regional final at Fenton as the ‘underdog.?
Hard to believe considering Oxford had only lost one game all season long and had disposed of many highly talented teams.
How Oxford escaped a state ranking should be on a lot of people’s minds, but I digress.
The Wildcats were matched up against the #1 state ranked team in the state: East Lansing. Oxford’s offense struggled all night to produce a goal.
East Lansing scored a goal in the first half, and then two goals in the second half to win the title 3-0.
The Wildcat’s defense was definitely put to the test on Friday night, seeing most of the action of the game in their territory.
E. Lansing’s depth on their bench awarded them fresh legs at all times in the game, while Oxford’s defensive veterans stuck it out and held strong the entire game. ‘I pride my teams on going the distance and then some,? commented head coach John Thaler.
‘We just played a better team. East Lansing is definitely ranked #1 for a reason.?
Although the season was over for the varsity squad on Friday night, the performance of this team was awesome any way you slice it.
After the game, Thaler prided his team for their many accomplishments, and stressed that in no way should his team be ashamed. ‘We broke numerous school records and gave 110 percent each game. I’m proud of every single one of my players and nobody can take what they’ve accomplished away from them ? ever!?
Oxford ended their season with an impressive 19-2-4 record.
For Oxford’s seniors, Friday night was the last night of their high school careers, and Thaler had a few words of wisdom for the veterans.
‘Take what you’ve learned and go with it. You never gave up on me and that in itself is worth more than anything. You believed in yourself, and you believed in your team. Never give up, ever!?
Oxford’s coach and fans were not the only ones to recognize the character and the sportsmanship that was displayed by these young men.
An East Lansing parent thought to write Oxford athletic director Patrick Ball to commend him and Thaler for Oxford’s class and composure during and after the loss. ‘I am an East Lansing varsity soccer parent. I want to pass on to you and your soccer coach and team how impressed I was with the behavior of your soccer team Friday night.
While East Lansing received their individual medals and trophy, the large Oxford group of team and fans, stood, clapping and showing a lot of respect for our team, and a lot of class on their part.
With all the publicity out there about poor sportsmanship, I felt compelled to acknowledge your school for their behavior.
Oxford played a hard game and showed character where it really counts.?
Congratulations to the Wildcats for a great season!
his team be ashamed. ‘We broke numerous school records and gave 110 percent each game. I’m proud of every single one of my players and nobody can take what they’ve accomplished away from them ? ever!?
Oxford ended their season with an impressive 19-2-4 record.
For Oxford’s seniors, Friday night was the last night of their high school careers, and Thaler had a few words of wisdom for the veterans.
‘Take what you’ve learned and go with it. You never gave up on me and that in itself is worth more than anything. You believed in yourself, and you believed in your team. Never give up, ever!?
Oxford’s coach and fans were not the only ones to recognize the character and the sportsmanship that was displayed by these young men.
An East Lansing parent thought to write Oxford athletic director Patrick Ball to commend him and Thaler for Oxford’s class and composure during and after the loss.
‘I am an East Lansing varsity soccer parent. I want to pass on to you and your soccer coach and team how impressed I was with the behavior of your soccer team Friday night.
While East Lansing received their individual medals and trophy, the large Oxford group of team and fans, stood, clapping and showing a lot of respect for our team, and a lot of class on their part.
With all the publicity out there about poor sportsmanship, I felt compelled to acknowledge your school for their behavior.
Oxford played a hard game and showed character where it really counts.?
Congratulations to the Wildcats for a great season!