On Monday, March 1st, the soccer edition of the Crosstown Clash was played for the first time in four years (and since Covid) at the University of Oklahoma. The boys kicked off on John Crain Field at 8 pm. The Timberwolves’ starting lineup included Will Sutherlin, Carson Newmark, Nick Dionisio, Miguel Madrigal, Luke Wheeler, Gabe Angle, Eddie Kim, Owen Whitman, Bostyn Carroll, Bond Blackman, and Alex Sonne. Beating the Tigers to the punch, Norman North got the first shot on goal, missing just over the bar. In the first ten minutes, starter center back Nick Dionisio came off the field with a quad injury. Junior, Benito Velasco replaced Dionisio in the backline. As Norman North held most of the possession, the Tigers scored the first goal in the middle of the first half. Another starter, senior, Gabe Angle came off the field after a questionable tackle. Alex Sonne also left the field. Bond Blackman scored a goal with minutes left in the second half to tie up the game. The game ended in a draw, and, because it was a non-district match, they went directly to penalty kicks. Sutherlin had two big saves while Blackman, Sonne, and Whitman missed their attempts. Even though the Timberwolves lost their first game, it was the loss of players that ultimately plagued our boys. The departure of senior captain Nick Dionisio was especially noticeable as Dionisio is like a coach on the pitch; he is very vocal and keeps the backline in shape. “It’s a long season, and we have a lot of guys out,” Dionisio says, “but I’m not stressing this loss.”