The Oxford Varsity boys soccer team ended their regular season with a 15-4 record after shutting out Waterford Mott 8-0 last Thursday.
Amidst the falling snow, the Wildcats got two goals each from senior captain Zac Wasylyna, senior Alex McKeown and sophomore Doug Kiracofe. Seniors David Hayward and Francesco Paese each had one goal to finish the night.
Oxford only allowed the Corsairs two shots on the goal because of a very strong defense line of senior captains Mark Jones and Erik Anderson, and juniors Matt Patria and Dan Arft.
Coach John Thaler said he couldn’t be more proud of how his team has done this season. He said the ‘nay-sayers? kept the team motiviated.
‘After losing four All-State players to graduation, many had written this team off,? he said. ‘Once again, they proved through hard work, discipline, patience and heart that they could win the league title.
Thaler said all the boys knew their goal for this season was to win the league, which they did Oct. 4 after defeating Linden.
‘Every player gave 110 percent each and every game and practice,? the coach said. ‘Without their hardwork, support from friends, family, teammates and their will to perform their best every day, none of this would have been possible.?
Now, Thaler said the Wildcats are focused on getting through the district tournament this week, after beating Fowlerville 8-1 in the first round on Monday night.
Oxford is hosting the second round tonight at 6:30 p.m. against Notre Dame Prep and the district finals on Oct. 21.
Thaler said his boys ‘respect every single team (they’ll be playing) because any team can win any game at any time.?
Six of the eight teams playing in the divisionals, including Oxford, have been ranked in the top ten in the division at one point this season.
If the Cats make it to regionals, the boys will need two wins, which they have never done before. Oxford’s been to the regional finals in 2002 and 2005, but have lost both times.