Oxford’s Ellie Ryan takes a look up the field after touching the ball ahead to find a teammate to pass to. Ryan had an assist on Oxford’s only goal as the Blackhawks’ season came to an end against Trumansburg, 3-1. (Evening Sun Photo, Meagan Schulz)
OXFORD – For the first time in several years, the Oxford Lady Blackhawks Soccer Club appeared in a Section IV Class C playoff game. Hosting the Raiders of Trumansburg – the No. 10 seed – the seventh-seed Oxford had trouble generating offense in the pouring rain, falling to the visiting team by a final of 3-1.
Trumansburg struck first with 16:47 left in the first half as Claire Valleu found a streaking Bailey Trudell. Trudell then settled, turned and fired one into the net for the early 1-0 lead but she wasn’t done yet.
Just three minutes later, Trudell scored the second goal of the contest to give her team a two-goal lead over the host Blackhawks.
The Lady Raiders took the advantage into the break while their opponent’s head coach Kathleen Cragle looked to make changes and had hope her team was going to generate offense in the second 40 minutes of play.
It worked as Oxford tailed a goal with 30:31 left to cut the deficit down to a goal. Ellie Ryan, a senior on the Blackhawks roster, ripped a shot attempt from outside the 18-yard box. As the ball sailed through the air, it appeared to be an easy save for the Trumansburg keeper Abby Jackson.
However, with the rain continuing to come down and the ball taking an odd bounce into her hands, Jackson misplayed the shot attempt. Kaylin Tefft of Oxford stayed with the play, following through to tap home the Blackhawks’ goal.
With the goal swinging the momentum in Oxford’s favor, the Blackhawks’ took a few more shots but none reached the back of the net for the rest of the game.
Trudell tacked on the third goal of the playoff hat trick after Tefft’s goal to extend the game back to two goals as the Blackhawks’ goalie Lexi Kohlhepp came out to make a stop. As she did, the Trumansburg scorer tapped it the opposite direction and the ball rolled into the side of the net to secure the win for the visiting team.
The Raiders took a total of 15 shots throughout the game while Oxford shot just four times – the majority in the second half of play. Kohlhepp finished her career as the Blackhawks’ keeper with 10 saves.
The loss ends Oxford’s best season in a few years at a record of 8-5-2 – a season in which the Lady Blackhawks went seven games in a row with out a loss, winning five and tying their opponent in two.
Trumansburg 3, Oxford 1
T 2 1 – 3
O 0 1 – 1
Goals-Assists: (T) Bailey Trudell 3-0; Claire Valleu 0-1; (O) Kaylin Tefft 1-0, Ellie Ryan 0-1.
Shots-Corners: (T) 15-3; (O) 4-3.
Saves: (T) Abby Jackson 3; (O) Lexi Kohlhepp 10.
Newark Valley 4, Norwich 2
