The Oxford Wildcats Girls Soccer Team defeated Pontiac Central on June 1, before being eliminated from the playoffs by their league rivals the Fenton Tigers.
At Whistner Stadium in Pontiac, the Lady Cats came out flying, scoring an unprecedented 10 goals in a 10-1 rout victory over Pontiac Central.
Senior forward Kaitlyn Griswold received recognition as ‘Player of the Game? from Coach Val Cerato for her efforts at both ends of the field. Aside from scoring the game’s second goal, Griswold ‘was playing much more aggressively than she has in other games,? said Cerato.
‘She was able to control the ball a little bit better, dribble down the field and she took some nice shots too,? added Cerato. ‘She had a beautiful left-footed shot, and a nice cross that ended in a goal. She played a really nice game.?
However, the Cats luck ran out as the Tigers eliminated the team on June 3 by a 5-1 final score. Fenton star player Jinny Cates (who, according to Cerato, should receive a league award) scored twice against Oxford, despite persistent shadowing by Oxford Captain Courtney Vassall.
‘They were just getting to the ball faster than we were, just winning those balls one after another after another, and it showed, it took its toll,? explained Cerato.
Oxford’s lone goal was scored by freshman Sam Bono, who led the team in scoring with 12 goals, all in different games, during the course of the season.
Cerato’s ‘Player of the Game? was awarded to Shana Jones, who has been improving all season long. Although the matchup was considered a home game for Oxford, the game was played in Fenton due to construction on Oxford’s home field.
On June 7, the Flint Metro League coaches held their annual meeting to decide recipients for various league awards. Several Oxford players were nominated, including leading scorer Sam Bono and captain/sweeper Christine Fortier for Second Team All-League, as well as being named to the All-District team.
Furthermore, five different Wildcats were nominated for Honorable Mention for the 2004 season: utility player Otiela Theobald, forward/midfielder Sam Marshall, defender Courtney Vassall, outside midfielder Gena Nelson, and goalkeeper Nicole Carter.
At their annual team banquet, the team voted on ‘Most Valuable Player? and ‘Most Improved Player.? Goalkeeper Nicole Carter was named MVP for the second year in a row, while Andrea Ricketts received the MIP. Also, three Oxford players – Vassall, Marshall and Griffin – received a Scholar/Athlete Award for maintaining a 3.5 GPA or higher throughout the course of the season.
Although the loss brought an end to the Wildcat’s 2004 season, it was also the end to six Oxford seniors? high school careers. Kaitlyn Griswold, Andrea Ricketts, Sam Marshall and Kira Griffin, along with captains Nicole Carter and Courtney Vassal, graduated with the class of 2004.
However, the team will be left in the capable hands of next year’s seniors, including current captain Christine Fortier, Kehley Hicks, Anneliese McKeown, Melissa Brownrigg, Jolene Patterson and Otiela Theobald.