BOYS SOCCER: Dejong’s game-winner sends Oxford past Lake Orion
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradtNorthoaklandsports.com
Twitter: @LocalSportsFans
LAKE ORION — Revenge can be sweet on the playing surface. Even sweeter in a state tournament setting.
Just ask Devan Dejong.
The senior midfielder scored a goal in the 38th minute and that marker stood the test of time in Oxford’s 1-0 Division 1 pre-district win Tuesday over host Lake Orion.
It marked Oxford’s first victory in four years over Lake Orion. The two neighboring rivals tied a pair of contest this season in OAA White Division play.
“In my three years on varsity, we haven’t beaten Lake Orion,” smiled Dejong. “This is a big win for us. We tied them twice this year they beat us bad last year. It’s really nice to beat them.”
In a game where chances were created on a limited basis — Oxford outshot Lake Orion by a slim 8-5 overall margin, including 4-1 with shots on frame — it took a rebound with 2:28 left in the first half to settle the score.
Following a long throw-in into the box, senior midfielder Nick Wright’s shot rang off the
goal post. Dejong was able to pounce on the loose ball in traffic and blast it into the net from close range.
“Nick Wright got a little flick, unluckily it came off the post. Their defender had a little bit of a mishit on a clearance. It bounced right to me,” continued Dejong. “I just took a touch and buried it.”
The result was far from picture perfect, but a welcomed result for Oxford (11-2-8).
“A win is a win,” said Oxford coach John Thaler. “I’ve got boys on this team who have played against Lake Orion year-in and year-out, and this is probably the best win for them. It’s just amazing all the way around, not only for the seniors but for the team and for the school.
“They beat us up really good last year (4-1) in our only regular season loss. Then we tied them twice this year,” continued Thaler. “In our first meeting, they took a 2-0 lead on us and we came back and tied them. The second time we played, we were up 1-0 and they tied it in the second half. So I knew it would be a one-goal game. That’s exactly what I told the boys beforehand.”
The win moves tout Wildcats into Thursday’s 7 p.m. district semifinal against host Rochester Stoney Creek.
Senior Conor Bandel made one save for his seventh shutout for Oxford, which did a quality job clogging up the passing lanes and frustrating Lake Orion’s forwards.
“I think we had two chances, and they had one. They capitalized on their one chance, and we put one over the bar and put one wide,” noted Lake Orion coach Matt Paukovits.
Lake Orion bowed out with a 10-3-7 ledger and the OAA White Division title. The Dragons just couldn’t muster of an attack in the team’s third meeting of the year.
“The guys have had a good year. I’m proud of them. They’ve worked hard,” added Paukovits. “We didn’t change for tonight. The guys played well all year. I can’t complain.”
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