The Oxford Varsity girl’s soccer team lost all three of its games this week, but still everyone remains optimistic.
The team dropped games against Holly, Fenton and Lapeer East, but the good news is that they were all close matches. All three were lost by two goals, and the girls have picked up the pace defensively, not allowing easy access to their net.
Against Holly on April 19, the Wildcats lost by a score of 3-1. Despite having the wind on their side for the first half, the ladies were only able to register one goal.
‘Having the wind is like having an extra player or two on the field, and we didn’t use it to our advantage,? said Head Coach Val Cerato. ‘It was a disappointing game. I didn’t think we played up to our potential.?
The single goal was scored by Sam Bono, who has really emerged as an offensive star for the team in her first year.
On April 21, the Lady Cats came up short against Fenton in a 4-2 effort. Bono and Lisa Reile scored Oxford’s two goals, but it was a team effort that impressed Cerato the most.
‘This, quite honesty, was the best game we have played in the past year,? she said. ‘Even though we lost it, we stepped up the intensity like you wouldn’t believe.?
‘The girls were getting pushed around a lot, but they were not afraid to give it back. They definitely played like a Varsity team.?
On April 26, the Wildcats met the Lapeer East Eagles, possibly the best team in the league, at home, but again, came out disappointed in a 2-0 defeat. The game was scoreless through the first half, mostly in part to starting goalie Nicole Carter, who made several spectacular saves, but the effort wasn’t enough.
The Lady Wildcats? next game will be at home on April 28, as against the Brandon Blackhawks.
Oxford is scheduled to play all of its home games at the beginning of the season due to scheduled construction to their home field on Pontiac St.. The team’s last home game of the season will be May 5 against Fenton.
Mike Stechschulte is a junior at Oxford High School who plans to major in the field of journalism.