If you’ve followed any varsity sport at Oxford High School, you’ll know it’s a rarity to see even one freshman on a team ? but how about four?
This year’s Oxford Varsity girl’s soccer team will feature freshman keeper Sarah Stroope, defender Sara Nieboer, forward Amanda Roth and midfielder/forward Beth Downs.
But the choice to add these rookie players to a varsity team was not done without great thought and consideration by head coach Mark Sullivant.
‘They exhibited superior speed, athleticism, and skill during the tryouts and could not be overlooked,? he said.
Returning seniors to this year’s lineup include captains Jackie Patterson and Alex Johnson, defender Rachel Sowers, midfielder Andrea Wolf and defender Nicole Ayers.
‘Although all players bring excellent leadership abilities to the team, Jackie and Alex will take the majority of the special plays and are dangerous in offensive corner situations,? Sullivant said. ‘Rachel, Andrea and Nicole bring solid play and aggressiveness on both sides of the ball.?
Five returning juniors will ‘see major minutes? this season and ‘bring a wealth of experience from being coached under John Thaler last season.
They include sweeper/forward Brittany Moncrieff, defender Olivia Stevens, midfielder Brianna Pastewski, forward Taylor Dewey and midfielder Colleen Turley.
‘Taylor Dewey has unique ability in front of the goal and will be counted on to produce a lot of them for Oxford this season,? the coach said. ‘Brittany is probably our best overall athlete and will be used in many ways to win games.?
Sullivant said he is looking to returning sophomore midfielders Kelsey Littman and Sarah Ricketts to be the ‘primary play-makers in our attack.?
Although they lost their first game 1-3 Saturday against Lake Orion, Sullivant was proud of his girls for keeping the game close.
Oxford and Lake Orion were tied 0-0 for the first 40 minutes of the game, but let in a goal just before the half. The only goal of the game came from Moncrieff, who was assisted by Johnson.
‘Lake Orion is a true first division team and we knew they would be a formidable challenge for our first game out,? the coach said.
The girls will travel to Holly tonight for a 6:45 p.m. game.