The Kingswood Oxford varsity hockey team has started off their winter sports season with some impressives victories, amassing a 4-1 record to start the year. This effort has been led by skilled veteran players and exceptional coaching, as the Wyverns hope to make a push towards their league’s playoffs.
Led by Head Coach John Hissick, the Wyverns have retaken the ice after only playing five games the previous year. This made for a challenging start for the season, as only five players in the squad’s lineup had played a full season of hockey for KO. It also forced the team to build chemistry amongst a youthful group, knowing that their competition would be older and more experienced.
Before winter break, the Wyverns were able to have one competition against the Harvey School in New York. In a hard-fought victory, they were able to edge out the competition, securing a 3-2 victory to start off the year. “Winning at Harvey to start the season was surprising, but we played really well and dominated many aspects of the game,” Coach Hissick said. Coach Hissick also noted contributions from the underclassmen on the team, specifically freshman forward Boden Swanson and eighth-grader forward Austin Perkins, both of whom notched a goal in the tilt. He also credited the team’s ability to dominate the faceoff circle, winning faceoffs and maintaining possession throughout the game.
The month of January started off relatively slow for the Wyverns, with many cancellations leaving them off the ice to start the new year. After COVID issues within the program, as well as a slew of other factors, the team postponed competitions against Rye Country Day, Hamden Hall, Foreman, and St. Luke’s. However, once the team was able to resume play, they seized momentum and began a hot streak of victories. In three straight games, they defeated Wooster School 11-1, Greenwich Country Day School 6-1, and Foreman School 13-1. “It’s been a good start to the season,” Coach Hissick said. “Despite only playing one game prior to the holiday break, we are 4-1 and the team has gelled together, playing our systems and playing good defense. Scoring has been pretty balanced and our goal tending has been solid.”
The team’s success can mostly be accredited to great team play, but there have been some standouts on the roster. Senior forward Co-captain Sean Gilland has scored 13 goals in five games to start the year, followed by senior forward Co-captain Will Berckemeyer with six goals. On the defensive front, junior defenseman Cody Brew has proven to be a valuable new addition to the Wyverns, and in net, junior goaltender Matt Cote has emerged as a critical component of the team’s gameplan, obtaining a .930 save percentage to start the season.
On Wednesday, Jan. 26, the squad suffered their first loss of the year to King School, falling 5-2. The team was scheduled to take on the Vikings again two days later, hoping for a victory with the home crowd behind them, but an impending snowstorm postponed the contest.
Looking forward, the team will have to face some tough competition in the Fairchester Athletic Association in order to qualify for the league’s playoffs. Matchups against Rye Country Day, King, and St. Luke’s will assuredly test their abilities, but a skillful lineup and a strong core will help the Wyverns succeed.
Next up, the Wyverns travel to Wooster School on Friday, Feb. 4, before facing Rye Country Day at home the following day.
