Wayland tasted victory in its final regular season girls’ soccer game Friday evening with a 4-2 non-league win against West Catholic.
The Lady Wildcats, who finished the regular season with a 12-6 record, 8-4 in the O-K Gold Conference, will open post-season district play at Battle Creek Central Tuesday. Coach Ben Sleeman said the 12 wins overall is a school record.
Sophomore Amanda Brown scored the opening goal of Friday’s match in the 24th minute on a shot from distance that beat the keeper to the back post. West Catholic responded less than five minutes later with the equalizer and put the pressure squarely back on the visitors to regain the lead.
The Wildcats would have to wait through halftime to get their chance, but back to back goals scored just minutes into the half by Brinley Nieuwenhuis and Mckenna Bruin would increase the Wildcat lead and give them just enough to keep them comfortable for the final 40 minutes. West Catholic wasn’t done, though, as the Falcons put a second goal behind keeper Rachel Wienclaw in the 13th minute, but from there, the sophomore keeper wouldn’t be beaten again. Nieuwenhuis would add her second goal of the game late in the half to secure the Wildcats’ 12th win of the season, the most in program history, and end their regular season on a high note.
Keeper, Rachel Wienclaw made eight saves in the win, bringing her total to 117 for the regular season.
The district game kicks off at 6 p.m. at Battle Creek Central High School.