MACKENZIE METHNER LEADS OXFORD PAST W.L. WESTERN
The host Oxford Wildcats got five goals from senior Mackenzie Methner and rolled to an 8-0 win over the Walled Lake Western Warriors on Monday night.
Methner got things going just over two minutes into the game, slotting in her first goal with 37:49 to play in the opening half. She completed her hat trick by finishing off a breakaway with three seconds left in the first half, to make the score 4-0 at the time, then added two more goals in the second half.
Freshman Ella Boyd scored twice for Oxford, and sophomore Kylie Myrand completed the scoring with 1:19 to play in the game.
The Warriors battled all game, and goalie Tori Byrne made 14 saves, including a handful of spectacular saves in the second half.
Center back Zoe DeRoche also played pretty well as the young Warriors worked hard from start to finish.
Walled Lake Western drop their opener in what is likely to be a rebuilding year for the Warriors.
“Being inexperienced, I think you’re going to learn every game. But I think we just kind of have to dig in and try to make the most of it,” Warriors head coach Michelle Krzisnik said. “Just in general, I think this year is going to be a challenge, and so you’re going to have to roll with it. I think the one thing I want for them is that they are able to come out every day and play and enjoy it, even on days like today.”
The Warriors have a week off before hosting Waterford Kettering next Tuesday in their Lakes Valley Conference opener.
Oxford is off to a fast start at 3-0, but the Wildcats will get a pair of tests early next week when
they first travel to Anchor Bay on Monday for another non-league contest before opening up Oakland Activities Association White play on Tuesday when they travel to rival Lake Orion.
“I want to play those tough teams and always to prepare us for districts. So we’ll see what happens. I’m more than happy, and I’m just glad the girls are having fun,” Oxford head coach John Thaler said. “We’ll have a good test on Monday against Anchor Bay. They’re always solid.
“The funny thing is not all these girls play together in the offseason, and I kept in touch with the kids and said how’s your season going, and they said it’s going and we go out of state and it’s like we’re in a different world. We don’t have to wear masks and this and that. (They) come here and they have all these rules and regulations, and weekly testing and stuff, and they’re troopers. They go with the flow. They just want to play.”