The Wayland boys’ soccer team split its first two O-K Gold Conference matches last week, defeating Middleville Thornapple Kellogg 3-1 Aug. 28, but dropping a 5-2 decision two days later to South Christian.

Wayland started strong in the match last Wednesday night, taking a 2-1 lead. Jake Rewa scored the first goal after putting a foot on a ball bouncing around the South goal. Austin (Chuck) Wroblewski scored the second as he beat the South Christian goalie on a penalty kick.

The Sailors, however, took a 3-2 lead into halftime and their depth became too much on the night as they scored two more goals.

TK came to play two says earlier, and coach Caleb Campbell said, “As soon as the whistle blew, they became very aggressive. Wayland returned aggression and soon netted their first goal of the game.”

Wroblewski’s corner kick bounced around the box and eventually found the foot of junior Jake Rewa, who blasted a shot off a TK defender and into the back of the net.

TK answered back with a goal of its own from a header crossed in from a corner, kick tying the score 1-1. Wayland took the lead back a few minutes later after Wroblewski dribbled the ball from close to half toward the TK goal and slotted a ball past the TK keeper to the far side of the net.

The first half came to a close with Wayland holding a 2-1 lead.

The second half was similar to the first, as Wayland continued to hold possession and create chances. The Wildcats’ final goal occurred when junior Jake Wagner dribbled though the TK defense and passed the ball to Austin Van Hees, who shot the ball past the TK goalie.

“TK continued applying pressure, but Wayland held strong,” Campbell said.

The Wildcats, now 2-2 overall on the season, look to rebound against Hopkins Tuesday.