Crooked Oak ends boys’ soccer season

The Kingfisher boys soccer season came to a halt Tuesday.

The Jackets were dealt a 5-1 loss at Crooked Oak in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs.

Crooked Oak (11-5) moved into the quarterfinal round against Mount St. Mary, which finished second in District 3A-2, the one from which KHS emerged.

Crooked Oak, which won District 3A-1, built up a sizable lead before the Jackets scored in the 74th minute.

Hayden Green netted a goal on a rebound off Chago Ortega’s shot.

The loss gave KHS a 4-9 record. The Jackets made the playoffs for just the third time in program history.

“I am proud of the way that each of these boys has responded to having a tough non-district schedule as well as playing through our very talented district and remaining in the running for a playoff spot,” said Isaac Waltman, the team’s first-year head coach.

Of Kingfisher’s eight losses in the regular season, seven were to teams that made the playoffs (the lone exception was 4A’s Weatherford).

The three teams that finished ahead of KHS in District 3A-2 – Heritage Hall, Mount St. Mary and Community Christian – all won first-round playoff games.

Waltman was a senior captain in 2017 when KHS made the playoffs for the first time. Kingfisher also reached the playoffs in 2019.

He said he wanted to begin to put his own stamp on the program in his first year.

“One thing I really wanted to do with this season was to try to change the cul-ture and atmosphere of the boys soccer program, creating relationships with players and parents where there is a high level of respect and understanding,” Waltman said.

It’s going to be a continuing process, he added.

“Changing attitudes and finding players that have the desire to put in the work and effort necessary for a successful team has been a challenge, but an expected one that will take time and effort for all involved parties,” he said.

While voids will be left on the team due to graduation, Waltman said he’s eager to begin work on Year 2.

“I am really excited for the future of this team. We have a lot of young talent that I look forward to developing further in the coming seasons,” he said.

“Next year’s team will have some big shoes to fill with the loss of great team players and leaders, but I am very optimistic about their potential and skill.”