Entering into their fifth district final in five years, the Oxford varsity boys soccer team was eager to add a fourth district win to their record.
Playing in the rain, on a muddy field and in the cold weather didn’t stop the boys from meeting their goal, though. They beat the #3 state-ranked Avondale 3-2 and are moving on to regionals.
In the first half, the Wildcats were almost caught when Avondale had two breakaways, but Oxford went on to the second half where senior captain Mark Jones scored the first shot of the game.
Senior Francesco Paese got the boys up to 2 with the help of senior Captain Zac Wasylyna.
Avondale wouldn’t give up, though, and scored on a scramble in front of the goal.
Junior Andrew Klimbal rocketed the ball past a few defenders to take the score to 3-1, and then Avondale got one last chance to score.
Oxford kept possession of the ball for the remaining five minutes of the game before securing their fourth district title in five years.
‘It was a great game between the #3 state-ranked Avondale and the #7 state-ranked Oxford in Division II,? Coach John Thaler said.
Oxford will now advance to the regional semi-finals at Flint-Kearsley at 7 p.m. tonight against Seaholm. Oxford’s overall record stands at 18-4.