It was a win and a tie against some of the top competition in the Oakland Activities Association Blue division for the varsity boys soccer team.
On Tuesday, Sept. 20, the Wildcats traveled down to Farmington Hills to take on the Hawks of Farmington Hills Harrison.
Trailing 1-0 late in the second half, Tyler Mayes took a feed from Doug Klimbal and pounded it past the Hawks goalie to tie the game at one with less than five minutes remaining in the game.
The game would end in a 1-1 tie.
According to varsity head coach John Thaler, Farmington’s defense forced the Wildcats to play a game towards the middle of the field, instead of the outside portion of field where Oxford normally plays.
‘We hit the post and shot wide,? Thaler added. ‘We never gave up and getting a goal in the last five minutes shows the team’s determination.
On Thursday, Sept. 22 the Wildcats then came back home to battle West Bloomfield on Oxford’s blue turf, and once again the post was Oxford’s nemesis.
They would hit the post twice in a 1-0 loss.
Thaler thoughts his boys played well in both games.
‘When you play the top teams you tend to play up in ability and that’s what we did. Getting a tie against Harrison and losing 1-0 to West Bloomfield were good results,? Thaler said. ‘Of course we would have wanted to win, but we played well nonetheless.?
Thaler is hoping his team continues to push themselves at a high level as the homestretch of the season is set to begin.
Oxford played at home against Birmingham Seaholm on Tuesday, Sept. 27 and travels to Lapeer West on Thursday, Sept. 29.
Oxford currently sits third in the OAA Blue with a 4-2-2 record, and is 6-3-2 overall.