With the school year and fall sports season underway, each of the Warrior teams are returning with hopes of a successful season. Here’s a look at the key information of each of the Wayland High School fall sports teams.

Boys Soccer

2011 Record: 7-6-4
Player to watch: Matt Edwards (senior)
Boys soccer is trying to continue their success from last year, when they made it to the North Finals. The team has lost many seniors, including All-American Nico Pascual-Leone, but is looking for contributions from returning players such as junior Ben Caples and senior Matt Edwards to reproduce their success from last year.

Girls Soccer:

2011 Record: 4-11-3
Players to watch: Sarah Nuss (senior) and Natalie Shear (senior)
After starting out the the season against DCL Large opponent Lincoln-Sudbury, the girls struck back with a 1-0 win against Newton South. This season, the girls are counting on to their senior goalie, Natalie Shear, to keep them in the running for a DCL title as well as the leadership of their four year varsity player, Sarah Nuss.

Football:

2011 Record: 4-7
Player to watch: Matt Goddard (senior)
After a win of 21-7 against Millis in their opening game, the Warriors failed to bring that momentum into their next game, which was against Nauset, where they lost 13-3. Last Friday, the Warriors claimed another win in their third game, which was against Monument, winning 49-6. The team looks to rebound off of a poor 2011 season filled with injuries. Football also has much more senior leadership on the team this year. Last year, only four seniors played for the team, while this year there are 23 seniors playing.

Field Hockey:

2011 Record: 10-4-2
Player to watch: Alice D’Orando (senior)
The team is off to a solid start this year with a record of 2-1-1. The team looks to continue their success from last year, when they made it into the quarterfinals of the Division II North bracket. Only three starters from last year returned to the team, including junior goalie Maddie Keifer. The team hopes to make a strong run in the state tournament with the leadership of the 11 returning seniors.

Cross Country:

Player to watch: Greg Karpacz (senior)
Boys: The boys’ team looks to their senior leadership this year to carry them through the season. The team only lost a few seniors from last year’s team. This year, senior Greg Karpacz and sophomore Eli Bucher hope to lead the team in a successful season.
Player to watch: Isabel Schwartz (senior)
Girls: The girls’ team will have to manage without some key returning runners. Not only did the team lose graduating seniors, but last year’s top runner, Phoebe Morss, left for private school, leaving the team’s top slot open. This year’s team is suffering from injuries as well as sickness. Although they’re off to a tough 2012 season the girls are hoping to improve.

Girls Volleyball:

2011 Record: 4-15
Player to watch: Olivia Shaw (senior)
Girls volleyball is looking to rebound from a tough 2011 season. Although they are 1-2 to start the year, the team looks to the leadership of senior captains Olivia Shaw and Emily Van Mulbregt to push them to the top of the DCL standings.

Golf:

Player to watch: Yannick Schaefer (senior)
Last year, the team finished fourth in the state. They also placed second in the Dual County League Small. This year’s team is counting on the leadership of their three seniors to get back to where they were only a year ago. So far, the team is off to a 4-4 start.

Crew:

Players to watch:
Girls: Gabriela Purman (senior)
Boys: Tommy Drews (junior)
Last season, the crew team was able to send boats to nationals in the spring. The team is training to become repeat state champions this fall. The team looks to continue to build their reputation as one of the most successful team in the state and at Wayland High School.