Boys soccer bows out in district finals, 3-0

On a blustery fall Saturday, the Oberlin Phoenix boys soccer team concluded their season, bowing to the state-ranked Wellington Dukes in the district finals, 3-0.

In the second meeting this season between Patriot Athletic Conference foes, the Phoenix played a very solid and aggressive match against a bigger and stronger foe. Having the breeze at their backs for the first half, Oberlin withstood the initial foray of Duke attacks and eventually took control of the play for much of the half. Indeed, the steady pressure resulted in four Phoenix corner kicks in the span of five minutes late in the first half. Despite the pressure, they could not ultimately close the deal, resulting in a 0-0 score at intermission.

In the second half, the Dukes gathered themselves and in a span of six minutes converted three good opportunities, the first coming in the 47th minute. However the Oberlin team and defense did not quit, and played tough the rest of the way.

To advance to the District Final game against the Dukes, the Phoenix needed to get past a typically tough opponent in Lake Ridge Academy last Tuesday. Behind first half goals from junior forwards Aidan McNulty and Daniel Bulhosa plus nine saves from sophomore keeper Josh Kocsis, the Phoenix cruised to a 2-0 win on their home field.

Coach Fox felt the team performed extremely well given the conditions and the opponent.

"Last time we played the Dukes, it was literally no contest, our team lay down before the match had even started. This time, they really came to play and despite the Dukes' size and strength advantage, the team played together and in control. With a break here and there, this game could've been tied at the end of regulation," Fox said.

Assistant coach Erik Halm added, "The kids are already looking forward to next year. Only losing a couple seniors from the team, these guys are ready to work hard through the off season and be a force to be reckoned with next fall in our county and conference."