By Sam Fetherlin · Contributing Writer
Grove City College’s men’s soccer team extended its perfect start to conference play to 4-0 after a late goal from senior Ryan Merrick secured a 2-1 home win over Waynesburg University Saturday.
The Wolverines held the top spot in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) entering the weekend while Waynesburg sat in the middle of the standings after an away victory at Bethany. While Grove City was considered the favorite due to the Wolverines’ superior record and home-field advantage, Waynesburg proved a tough opponent to break down.
It was only through a penalty kick that the Wolverines managed to score the opener, with senior midfielder Noah Gray converting the spot kick at 12:37. Gray shot to the left and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way.
It seemed the Wolverines were on their way to a comfortable win, but that expectation soon proved wrong as Waynesburg maintained defensive solidity and held out for a halftime score of 1-0.
The match got even more interesting when Waynesburg equalized at 58:58, as the visitors stole the ball on the left flank and slid it through the Wolverines’ defense into the penalty box. Sarpong Kwabiah’s quick shot beat senior goalkeeper Anthony D’Ippolito. The ball flew into the roof of the net, and suddenly the Wolverines felt pressure to regain the lead and maintain their perfect start to conference play.
With only 100 seconds remaining, Merrick scored the dramatic winning goal. Gray beat his man down the left and, from the edge of the penalty box, clipped an inviting ball into the center. Merrick was on hand to steer a header back across goal, and the game finished minutes later. The win marked a satisfying turnaround following a midweek nonconference loss at home to Wooster.
The final whistle prompted celebrations from players and spectators as the Wolverines secured all three points in their bid for a regular season first-place finish. On a weekend when rival Westminster drew, Grove City widened its lead at the top of the PAC standings.
“The game did not go as we expected,” Gray said. “It was a much more physical and chaotic game than we’ve been used to this season. We had to have a bit of grit and fight to get a winner. I’m so proud of the way we battled and kept pushing.
“It’s obviously been a strong start to conference play for us, being 4-0. We are a very experienced team and have a ton of young talent, which is a rarity. We’re capable of producing a really special season.”
Merrick echoed this sentiment.
“This season has been off to a great start. We’re excited to keep playing, and we have high hopes for the rest of the season,” he said. “But we understand we have a lot of work to do, and we have aims of going further than we did last year.”
The victory over Waynesburg came on the Wolverines’ Senior Day, making it particularly meaningful for Gray and Merrick, two of eight seniors on the roster.
“As a senior, I’m trying my best to milk every second out of this last season,” Gray said. “I’m playing for the last time with my best friends — it’s special. I’m excited to see what the rest of this season holds, and I’m trying to take in every moment I have on the field with my brothers.”
Whether that final season will extend into the postseason remains to be seen, although the Wolverines have put themselves in position to make the playoffs. Next for the team is a conference match against Chatham University at 7.pm. Friday on Don Lyle Field.
“This senior group is extremely tight as friends and has been training hard together for four years, throughout the school year and summer,” Merrick said. “Personally, they are my best friends, and we have so much fun playing together and we’re all looking forward to a final season together.”
