The Wayland girls’ soccer team wa
s able to secure its first home win of the season Wednesday,a 2-1 triumph over Zeeland West.
“The first half was back and forth, with both teams taking turns with chances to score the first goal of the game,” coach Ben Sleeman said. “Both keepers were called on throughout the opening 40 minutes to make saves, but it was the Wildcats who were able to strike first just before halftime.”
Junior Amber O’Connell was able to place the ball behind Dux defenders to find a streaking Brinley Nieuwenhuis, who slotted the ball low past the keeper for her fourth goal of the season.
“The Dux immediately responded with 10 seconds to go before halftime, capitalizing on a slip by sophomore Hannah Henney in the back and serving a ball into an open attacker inside the box,” Sleeman said. “However, keeper sophomore Rachel Wienclaw made a big one-handed save to keep her team on top as the horn sounded for halftime.”
The second half continued much like the first with both teams supplying plenty of attacking opportunities. Again though, it was the Wildcats who were able to score first when a through ball from sophomore Payton Sidebotham found sophomore Amanda Brown behind the Dux defense and she calmly beat the keeper for her third goal of the young season.
The Dux were not done though, as their steady offensive pressure continued as the half wound down. They were finally able to find the back of the net with 15 minutes left to go but that would be all they could muster as the Lady Wildcats’ defense held strong and preserved their second win of the spring.
Rachel Wienclaw made 13 saves while facing 14 shots in the win bringing her save total to 47 of 58 (81%).
The win moves the girls’ overall season record to 2-3. They will head into a busy week next week as they travel to conference foes Wyoming on Monday (5 p.m. kickoff) and host Forest Hills East Wednesday (6 p.m. kickoff).
PHOTO: The Lady Wildcats’ soccer team members ham it up before a victory Wednesday over Zeeland West. (Photo courtesy of Terry Ellis)
