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On Friday night the Wayland boys varsity soccer team beat the Arlington Spy Ponders. Goals from juniors Nico Pascual-Leone and Matthew Gutschenritter, and senior Jean Mbudimbu catapulted Wayland to a 3-2 victory, and into tournament competition.

It was also Senior Night for the Warriors, and the seniors showed their experience throughout the game.

Three minutes in, senior and co-captain Griffin McGrail blasted a corner kick to junior Nico Pascual-Leone, who headed the ball into the opposite side of the net to give Wayland a 1-0 start.

“When we played them away we came out really flat,” said junior Chris D’Amico, “So we came out a lot stronger this time.”

As the game went on, the Arlington defense intensified, holding Wayland scoreless for the rest of the half. Meanwhile the Arlington offense picked up the pace, getting fourteen shots on net. Only one went in, just passing senior goalie Jack McCullough with eight minutes to go in the first half.

Going into halftime Wayland was in a stalemate with the Spy Ponders. The teams came out heated in the second half, and the number of penalties increased. Every person on the field seemed to want it more than the guy next to him.

“We really wanted to up our intensity level, and take care of the ball better,” said D’Amico.

With twenty minutes remaining, Mbudimbu was substituted into the game. It took only two minutes for him to find the back of the net, on a close call where the ball just crossed the plane.

With Wayland leading 2-1, things were looking good as the game was wound down. The defense especially looked untouchable, clearing the ball every time it got onto the Wayland side.

“Dan Lesser, after being moved out from midfield, has been an anchor for our defense this year,” said coach David Gavron.

But with ten minutes remaining Arlington scored again, on a laser shot from twenty yards out, tying the game at two. After this, Wayland called a time out.

“(I knew) the boys would pull this one out,” said Gavron. “Griffin McGrail inspired the team during the time out.”

“Griffin told us that we could play better than them, and that we could win this one if we wanted it enough,” said D’Amico

The game was neck and neck. Both teams were playing with tenacity and ferocity not seen at any other point in the game. With four minutes to go Arlington committed a hand ball penalty, giving McGrail an indirect kick.

Rather than waiting for the whole team to come down the field, McGrail saw an open Gutschenritter darting towards the net.

McGrail looped the ball in, and Gutschenritter just got a foot on it, sending the ball barely into the net. Not a moment later the Arlington goalie and an Arlington defender were on top of the play, creating confusion.

For a few tense seconds there was no call, but then the referee motioned a goal for Wayland, giving them a 3-2 lead. Wayland held on, and ended up winning by the same score, clinching a spot in the tournament.

This Monday, Wayland will look to continue their success against the DCL Large’s Westford Academy, who are currently 6-6-1.

“Regardless of our standing in the league, we need to prepare for the next opponent,” said Gavron.