The Wayland boys’ varsity soccer team opened its O-K Gold Conference conference season Tuesday night with a 3-1 victory on the road against Middleville Thornapple Kellogg.
It was Wayland’s third consecutive victory.
The Wildcats scored the first goal of the match only six minutes after the opening whistle on an assist from Chuck Wroblewski. Not long after, Jeremy Pletcher scored a wonder goal from beyond half field, beating the TK keeper on a long ball and gave Wayland a 2-0 lead. As the half wound down, the Wildcat’s Tristen Ortiz kept alive a corner kick which fell to Anthony Muscarella’s feet, and he passed the ball to an open Chuck Wroblewski, who beat the keeper to the near post for the third goal of the half.
Unfortunately, the shutout was short lived, as the Trojans received a penalty kick and brought themselves back within two goals going into the second half.
The home team came out strong in the second half, but the Wildcat defense proved worthy enough to handle the pressure and the game remained 3-1, despite both teams having chances to add to their tallies.
Jake Larsen made 6 saves in the winning effort behind a stingy defensive unit.
The win brings the boys’ overall record to 3-6 and 1-0 in conference play. They will come back home Thursday night for another conference showdown with Grand Rapids Catholic Central at 6:45 p.m.
