By Wendi Reardon Price
Clarkston News Sports Writer
OXFORD — The Wolves ended the season with a 3-2 loss to Oxford in the MHSAA Division 1 Boys Soccer District 6 Finals, Oct. 18.
“They worked really hard to stop our plan,” said Ian Jones, head coach. “It happens in playoffs. I think we made a mess a little bit. We should have been four or five in the first 20 minutes, but when you don’t take your chances, things can happen. We didn’t take our chances and they had free kicks in there.”
The Wolves got on the scoreboard first with a goal from Brendan Gerard less than ten minutes into the game.
Oxford’s Diego Medel tied the score with 14:30 left in the first half. The Wildcats would take the lead two minutes into the second half from Cooper Caufman.
The lead wouldn’t be for long as Wolf Sebi Roy put the score 2-2 with his goal four minutes later.
With just over 26 minutes remaining in the second half, Ryan Clark scored the third and final goal for Oxford.
The Wolves won the district semifinal game against Grand Blanc on Oct. 16, 1-0. The lone goal was scored by Gerard with 15:43 remaining in the game.
“It was a good job,” said Jones, adding they controlled the game even if it took awhile to score. “It was a deserved win.”
He added defense did well keeping the Bobcats off the scoreboard.
“It hasn’t been a problem all season – opponents not seeing a lot of goals,” Jones said.
The Wolves finished the season 11-3-1, 4-2-1 OAA Red.
“Our season was good,” Jones said “Overall I was really happy. We had a nice set of boys. They worked hard, and they played competitive soccer. We don’t play high school soccer – we play a higher level. They are miles ahead of anyone in what we do. Sometimes beauty is beaten by the beast that’s what happens sometimes.”
He added the season, including playoffs, will help next year’s returners.
“There were a lot of younger players on our squad,” he said. “Hopefully it gives them experience. I think in a couple years time you will see quite a team if they all stay together. It teaches them to be strong. Some play for travel clubs and see a lot of high end soccer players. We have a lot of highly technical players.”
The Wolves bid goodbye to their seniors especially Gerard and Roy, who have been to three district finals.
“It’s a lot between those two,” said Jones. “They continued the level of success of the previous teams in regards of creating an identity. The seniors leave behind the blueprints of how to play. Hopefully new and returning players learn and have a bit more luck.”

  Boys Soccer, district playoffs