Oakwood Christian soccer gets shut out in opening week

Goals were tough to come by for the Oakwood Christian Academy soccer Eagles last week as they opened the 2016 season with three straight losses, two of which came on the road.

Rhea Co. Academy 6, Oakwood 0

Last Monday, the Eagles welcomed the visiting Warriors to Chickamauga, but it was their Southern Christian Athletic Association opponents who left town with the win.

Keeper Garrison Baggett made over 20 saves in defeat for the Eagles, while Caleb Epperson, Benjamin Kelley, Cory Taylor and J.J. Lanham each had multiple shots on goal.

Ga. Cumberland 11, Oakwood 0

The Eagles ran up against a strong and talented squad from Calhoun in their first road trip of the season on Tuesday.

Baggett stopped more than 25 shots in goal for Oakwood, while Preston Allen made three saves during his time in net.

Epperson, Lanham, Kelley, D.J. Terry, Andrew Phillips and Austin Greco all had multiple shots on goal, while head coach Samara Garrison praised Matthew McDonough, Jacob Lewis, Tyler Epperson and John-Jacob McSpadden for their defensive effort against a solid team.

The week wrapped up the Eagles on Thursday with a trip to Collegedale. Greco would score the first goal of the season for Oakwood, but it wasn’t enough as the Navy-and-Gold fell to 0-3.

Greco’s tally came in the first half following a pair of nice passes by Lanham and his brother, Chase. The goal helped Oakwood forge a 1-1 tie at intermission.

However, the other Eagles would score twice in the second half and shut out Oakwood the rest of the way to

pick up the win.

Baggett had 15 saves in goal, while Allen had five stops in net. Garrison again credited McDonough, Lewis, McSpadden and Tyler Epperson for their efforts on defense.

In addition to Greco, the Eagles got shots on goal by Caleb Epperson, Terry, Kelley, Phillips and J.J. Lanham.

Oakwood will play at home on Thursday against Apostolic of Knoxville at 5 p.m. before a trip to Fort Bluff in Dayton, Tenn. on Friday night to take on Rhea County Academy in a SCAA match.

CAYA (JV) 3, Oakwood 1 Oakwood Christian keeper Garrison Baggett makes a diving attempt at a save, but can't stop the shot during a home match against Rhea County Academy last week. (Messenger photo/Scott Herpst)