The surging Wayland girls’ soccer team claimed its fifth straight victory of the season Wednesday by turning back Grand Rapids Christian, 4-0. The game had to be moved to Christian’s home field because Wayland’s once again was too wet.
“Another game, another change of venues for the Wildcats on Wednesday night… the change of sites didn’t play a role in the outcome of the game, however, as the girls came ready to play, scoring first and never looking back en route to a comfortable conference victory,” said coach Ben Sleeman.
Sophomore McKenna Bruin opened the scoring early after a nifty through ball from senior captain Brinley Nieuwenhuis. Bruin rounded the final defender and calmly beat the keeper for her second goal of the season.
The game settled down after that with both teams taking chances to score. Wildcat keeper Rachel Wienclaw, made a few big saves to keep her team in control, Sleeman said, and they paid her back 10 minutes before halftime when Amanda Brown slotted a nice pass to Bruin, who quickly released her shot, hitting the back post to double the Wildcat lead.
The girls weren’t done however, and senior captain, Emily Gray picked up a through ball from fellow senior and captain Ashlyn Schafer, who found Emily one on one with the last defender. Her goal would bring the score to 3-0 heading into halftime
The coach commented, “The second half played out much the same as the first, with both teams taking their chances, but the defensive line of Hannah Damveld, Hannah Henney and Payton Sidebotham thwarted any chance of the Eagles getting on the scoreboard as they, along with Wienclaw kept the shutout.
The Lady Wildcats scored just three minutes into the second half. Amanda Brown scored the fourth goal of the match from just outside the box off an assist from Bruin on a Nieuwenhuis throw in.
The win brings the Wildcat record to 6-3 (5-2 O-K Gold). The girls are back in action Saturday morning as they host the Tigers from Allegan in non-conference play before conference rival Middleville Thornapple Kellogg comes to town Monday evening.
