OXFORD >> Lake Orion scored all three of its goals in a 17-minute span in the first half and defeated host Oxford 3-0 in Tuesday night’s OAA crossover game.

The Dragons scored on their first shot on goal when Sydney Goodman fired a corner kick in from the right side and Kendall Jakubiak got enough of a head on it at the far post to get it over the line and give Lake Orion the initial lead.

That seemed to fire up the Dragons, who would dominate the rest of the half and add two late goals, one by Lillian Brodoski on a rebound and another on a breakaway by Mary Graves to take a three-goal lead into halftime.

Led by the play of Piper Boyt, Oxford had a couple of good chances to get back in it with their best coming on a breakaway early in the second half. But Dragons goalie Kylie Kopitzki came off her line to make a big save 20 yards from goal and shut down the chance.

Oxford’s defense was better organized again in the second half. While Lake Orion had the better of possession and shots, the quality of opportunities was not as good for the Dragons after halftime.

“Our defense did really good. I thought they were very organized, which is a change from last year. I think it was the opposite last year,” Oxford head coach Gabby Schriver said. “Now, we just need to work on generating that offense.”

Overall, Lake Orion’s offense and general chemistry were very good, particularly for an early season game. That can be attributed at least in part to the Dragons returning 16 players from last year’s district title team, which picked up where it left off by looking like a group already familiar with each other.

“When you come back with 16, the chemistry is mostly there, and that definitely paid off,” Dragons head coach Amanda Hutchinson said. “What I told the girls is I thought it was really nice that it was a team effort tonight,” she added. “The three that scored are not generally our high-scoring players, and so to have those three step up and put it in the back of the net in a rivalry game, I think that’s big.”

The Dragons (2-0) will host Cranbrook on Thursday in another non-conference game before starting league play next week.

“We’re excited about the season and looking forward to some good things,” Hutchinson said.

The Wildcats remain sorting things out a little bit after dropping their season opener.

“We have a good amount of returners, but we’re messing with formations and positions, and again, it’s the first game,” Schriver said. “It’s hard to get used to. At the end of the day, we have to think of it as a blessing because it’s our first game. Luckily, it’s not an OAA Red game. It always stings against a rival, but Lake Orion deserved it, and it’s a good little wake-up call for the season.”

Oxford doesn’t have much time to figure things out as the Wildcats host the Rochester Falcons on Thursday in their league opener.