Boys Soccer
Coming off of an 8-8-2 2024 season, and an elite eight berth in the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Division II tournament, the boys varsity soccer team is looking to do some damage this year.
“Come November our reputation and goal is to get to the state championship and make a run deep into November,” junior captain Brady Babineau said. “I think our expectations are always set high, we always want to be the best.”
Over the summer, the team has been preparing at captains practices for the physical rigor of a 19 game season, as well as the mental toughness needed for tight moments late in the game.
“We do a lot of fitness in the pre-season, and the main idea is to build not just the physical toughness,” senior captain Will Klautky said. “A lot of it’s mental, like how well can you pass the ball when you’re tired? Are you willing to make that extra run in the 80th minute after you’ve been running around for 80 minutes?”
Heading into the season, the team recognizes their strengths as a team, and they are hoping to use them to their advantage this season.
“Our biggest strength is our chemistry and our ball knowledge,” Babineau said. “I feel like in previous years we might’ve not had as close team chemistry, but I feel like this year we’re a very strong united program and team.”
The team opens up their season on Wednesday, Sept. 3, against Tewksbury Memorial High School. Last year, Wayland beat Tewksbury 5-1 late in their season.
“Everybody is strong, focused and prepared for the season to come,” Babineau said. “I feel like we’re only going to keep getting stronger as the year goes on.”
Girls Soccer
The girls varsity soccer team is coming off of a 8-5-5 2024 season, as well as a round of 32 berth in the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Division II tournament. Flashing forward to the summer of 2025, the captains organized a rigorous offseason training program to help prepare for their 17 game regular season.
“We’ve been doing work outs four days a week since June when we got out of school last year,” senior captain Annie Melander said. “We’ve been having captains practices every week, and summer league games twice a week since June.”
With four senior captains on the team, they recognize the role that they can play in the development of the younger players. Senior captains Melander, Avery Umina, Eliza Russell and Marie Geronimo want to help elevate the team by connecting with the younger players.
“We approach leadership on the field by really connecting off the field, and we talk a lot outside of just practice,” Melander said. “We make sure that everyone feels included.”
The team hopes to incorporate their success from last season, and their work during offseason training, into their home opener against Nipmuc Regional High School on Wednesday, Sept. 3 at 4:30 p.m..
“I think the team is very strong this year,” Melander said. “We have a lot of good connections already, and we’re pretty focused, so I think we’ll be well prepared for all the games.”
