Oak Ridge soccer battles top teams to open 2025
The 2025 high school boys soccer season is underway, and Oak Ridge finds itself in the midst of a rebuilding year.
The Wildcats, who graduated eight seniors — including six starters — from their 2024 squad, are off to an 0-1-1 start after facing two of the top teams in District 4-AAA.
They opened the season with a pair of road matches against Maryville and Farragut.
Oak Ridge battled Maryville to a 1-1 draw on Tuesday, March 4, before falling to Farragut, 5-0, on Thursday, March 6.
Against the Rebels, senior midfielder Ayden Clements, who recently signed with Pellissippi State, scored the Wildcats’ lone goal, assisted by junior midfielder Drayton Keehn.
Longtime Coach Tom Gorman expected early challenges for his young and inexperienced squad, especially given the competition.
“We lost a lot of talent and experience from last year,” Gorman said. “We have a talented group this year, but many of them are stepping into leadership roles for the first time.
“It may not look great early, but I love the potential and can’t wait to see how we finish the season.”
Key players for Oak Ridge this season include Clements, Keehn, junior midfielder Juno Morrill, and junior defender Daniel Jackson.
The Wildcats returned to action Tuesday with a road match at Austin-East. Results were unavailable at press time.
