Offseason dedication has led Wayland girls’ soccer from a last-place finish to an undefeated record

Wayland players came together in the offseason and it has paid off, as the Warriots went from 4-12-1 last year to 8-0-2 so far this season. Barry Chin/Globe Staff

Forty-two teams qualified for the MIAA Division 2 girls’ soccer tournament last fall. Wayland was not among them.

At 4-12-1, the Warriors finished last in the Dual County League.

One year later, Wayland is off to an 8-0-2 start, ranked 16th in this week’s Globe Top 20 and eighth in the Division 2 power rankings.

Third-year coach Ed DeHoratius believed his group would take a step forward, noting incremental progress at each position. But a jump of this magnitude is rarely predictable.

“We knew we would be better, kind of on all lines,” said DeHoratius. “But I don’t think we expected the cumulative improvement to be as significant as it has been.”

Senior captain Sazie Wrentmore was more bullish, despite the Warriors graduating 12 seniors and featuring just four senior starters this season. What would her reaction be in the preseason if someone told her Wayland would be undefeated through 10 games?

“I would believe them,” she said.

“The amount of work that we put in in the beginning of the season, preseason, and throughout the summer was incredible, and that work really reflects our record right now.”

Wayland's one-year turnaround has been spearheaded by Olivia Umina (from left), Sloane DiRoberto, Somerby Newton, Sazie Wrentmore, Natalie O'Neill, and Avery Brown.Barry Chin/Globe Staff

During the summer, the players had daily morning workouts, practice sessions on Wednesdays, and summer league games on Tuesdays and Thursdays, in different leagues.

“We had everyone in the program going to all this, so all that together really created a strong community and built us as a program,” said senior captain Natalie O’Neill.

While there was no lack of effort last year, the group lacked an understanding of the areas that needed focus. This year, they have a clear agenda to follow.

“That was a great reference point of what we needed to really work on this summer,” said Wrentmore.

Wayland was competitive in many games last fall, and DeHoratius believes it was better than its record indicated. But the struggles came down to simple math: the Warriors didn’t score enough (15 goals), and conceded far too many (35 allowed). The midfield was strong, but they had little direct impact on the scoreboard.

Led by Wrentmore’s nine goals, ranking third in the Dual County League, the Warriors (23 goals in 10 games) have been much improved offensively.

Freshman Avery Brown has six assists through 10 games for Wayland. Barry Chin/Globe Staff

The scoring around Wrentmore has been dispersed, recently led by senior forward Corinne Larsen who has three goals in the last five games. Freshman wing Avery Brown and sophomore midfielder Sloane DiRoberto each have six assists, tied for the DCL lead.

“There’s a big variety of who can create those chances and score on them,” said junior midfielder Olivia Umina, a captain with three goals. “I feel like that’s what makes us really special, and is something our program hasn’t seen before.”

Umina and DiRoberto have anchored the midfield, with O’Neill, a right winger, rotating inside at times and taking on a more defensive role when the Warriors are trying to protect a late lead.

Freshman center back Kayla Babineau has given Wayland a huge boost defensively, playing nearly every minute alongside junior Heather Maddocks. Seniors Somerby Newton and Annabelle Hage line up at outside back for a defense that has conceded just seven goals.

“They’re just so talented,” Newton, a captain, said of her fellow defenders. “They stay so composed.”

Junior Grace DiStefano and sophomore Rosie O’Hara have split the goalkeeping duties, with DeHoratius displaying confidence in both.

“They basically stayed neck and neck, and it seems to be working,” said DeHoratius.

Entering the season, the Warriors set a goal to host a playoff game. Now, they’re shifting their expectations, with a second-round home game and a deep playoff run in mind.

“We’re definitely going to have to raise our standards,” said O’Neill. “To have a chance to [go] far is just really exciting.”

Sazie Wrentmore celebrates one of her team-leading nine goals. Barry Chin/Globe Staff

Corner kicks

▪ Dover-Sherborn (8-3-1) sits third in the MIAA Division 3 power rankings.

But the wins and losses aren’t the most important thing to the Raiders. They follow the motto, “winning is our guide, and growth is our goal.”

“It alleviates a lot of pressure,” said D-S coach Evren Gunduz.

D-S has certainly seen growth in its backline, which conceded 40 goals in the 2024 regular season and 38 last fall. Through 12 games this fall, the Raiders surrendered just 11.

Junior left back Ginny Rubio, junior center back Maya Hagan, and senior center back Rose Kim have led the backline.

“They’ve really made huge progress in their play,” said Gunduz.

Senior captain Allegra Hoffmann has a team-leading 10 goals. Junior midfielder Rae Garzone has been a key contributor.

▪ After a 2-2-2 start, Lexington is finding its groove, posting a 3-0-2 mark over its last five games with a win over Belmont and ties against Wellesley and Braintree.

After a trip to the second round last fall, Lexington (5-2-4) has 16 returners, including eight starters.

Senior captain Sol Ortiz DeRosa controls the midfield and has gotten support from sophomore Lucy Carvalho, who moved from outside back to holding midfielder.

Junior center backs Cecilia Kvall and Mackenzie Callahan are steady at the back, with senior Imogen Pym stepping up in net. Sophomore forward Ava Myers, who netted 11 goals last fall, had a slow start but is now finding her stride with four goals in her last four games, including two beauties against Belmont.

“The biggest thing for us is just consistency,” said coach Josh Sideman. “If we are consistent, good things are going to happen.”

Games to watch

Saturday, No. 12 Winchester at No. 7 Wellesley, 11 a.m. — Two Division 1 contenders square off in a high-powered nonleague bout. Wellesley has beaten the Red & Black the last two seasons.

Saturday, No. 6 Masconomet at No. 8 Central Catholic, 2 p.m. — A Top 10 matchup between two unbeatens, the host Raiders will face their toughest test yet.

Saturday, Natick at No. 5 Franklin, 7 p.m. — In a Division 1 state championship rematch, the Panthers will look to get their revenge against Natick.

Tuesday, No. 4 Concord-Carlisle at No. 16 Wayland, 4:30 p.m. — The undefeated Warriors are having a masterful season, but can they deliver against one of the state’s best in this Dual County League clash?

Tuesday, No. 9 Hingham at No. 3 Duxbury, 6 p.m. — Hingham’s lone loss came against unbeaten Duxbury. The Patriot League’s best meet again in a clash that could decide the Keenan division.