The Wayland girls’ so
ccer team Friday rebounded from a tough loss to South Christian and battled a talented Jenison team to a thrilling 2-2 draw at home.
Coach Ben Sleeman said, “The game was close throughout with both teams having opportunities to take the lead and seal the win.”
Jenison got on the board first, capitalizing on a ball that ended up in front of the goal uncontested. Wayland battled back and eventually drew even on Brinley Nieuwenhuis’ third goal of the season at the 30-minute mark, Sleeman said, “on a free kick from just outside the box. She beat the keeper high and to the near post to get her team back in the game.”
The half ended 1-1 after goalie Hannah Anderson made a great save with less than a minute remaining to keep her team tied.
“In the second half, yesterday’s game (with South Christian) began to wear on the home side with fatigue setting in slightly,” Sleeman commented.
However, both teams took their chances, but neither were able to capitalize until with just under nine minutes remaining, Haley Thelen got taken down in the box and Ali Cutler netted the penalty kick for the go-ahead goal and her team leading seventh goal of the season. Unfortunately, Jenison wasn’t finished scoring and scored a free kick with two minutes left to go to tie the match.
“Both teams battled hard and fought to the final whistle for a well deserved draw,” the coach said.
The Wildcats, now 3-3-1 are back in action on Monday on the road against Ottawa Hills at 5 p.m.
