The Wayland High School girls’ soccer team opened O-K Gold Conference play Tuesday evening by being edged 4-3 by Middleville Thornapple Kellogg.
The Lady Wildcats fell to 0-2 overall and 1-0 in league play. They will pay Thursday evening at South Christian.
The Trojans took the lead first 20 minutes into the game, but the Wildcats responded with a goal of their own when sophomore, Kennedy Thelen threaded a neat through ball to Amanda Brown who was able to beat the TK keeper with a tidy finish.
“Unfortunately, two defensive miscues and some lack of concentration cost the Wildcats their hard fought tying goal,” said coach Ben Sleeman. The Trojans found the back of the net twice more before the halftime whistle to give them a commanding 3-1 lead going into the break.
Wayland came out determined in the second half, but their best efforts on goal were turned away time and time again by the Trojan keeper. A corner kick resulted in the Trojan’s fourth goal of the game and ultimately proved the difference in the contest.
The Wildcats weren’t done fighting, and saw life breathed back into them as freshman Emily Moulenbelt scored her first ever varsity goal on a scramble for a loose ball in front of the goal. Amanda Brown then scored her second goal of the game as the clock showed one minute remaining to bring the Wildcats within a goal of the visitors.
It proved to be too little, too late for the home team as the final whistle blew.
Wildcat keeper Lilly Bollinger made 7 saves facing 11 shots on goal in her second ever appearance in goal this season.
