Wakefield boys soccer
Wakefield junior Davis Edwards (20) notched three goals in Monday's 9-4 win over East Wake.
Williams, Edwards power Wakefield win
There's a not so subtle difference between this year's Wakefield boys soccer team and its 2008 version.
Simply put, this season the Wolverines have learned how to hit the back of the net.
In four of their six contests, including Monday's 9-4 victory over East Wake, the Wolverines have tallied five or more goals. Of its 22 matches a year ago, Wakefield scored more than five goals just once.
Head coach Scott Sloan explains the Wolverines' success is just a numbers game really.
"We are attacking with more people," he said. "We're holding possession a little bit longer; the build up is a little bit better.
"We're moving down the field in groups and blocks, versus attacking with one or two people like last year."
Last season, with few offensive options — especially after former Wolverine Chris Weaver was sidelined with an injury — Wakefield couldn't maintain possession and had to play the ball long more frequently.
VIDEO: Three short highlights from Wakefield's 9-4 win over East Wake Monday.
"Truth be told, when you bypass 40 yards, you're leaving eight guys behind," Sloan said. "So now you are playing to two guys, or its [one versus four]. But now we are settling the ball a little longer. We're playing wide, we're playing inside. We have options."
The Wakefield coach puts emphasis on maintaining the ball without dominating the ball.
"What I tell the guys is we want to play possession, but we don't want two to three touches," he explained. "You want to limit your touches and let the ball do the work for you. We're doing that this year — in spans."
The Wolverines' victory over the Warriors Monday highlighted what the squad can do in spurts, breaking the game open with three early scores — two from junior Davis Edwards and another from senior Jay Williams.
But East Wake's Trey Johnson tacked on a goal in the 27th minute, and the Warriors added another six minutes later.
Williams retaliated with a goal in the 34th minute, giving the Wolverines a 4-2 advantage.
And again Johnson followed suit, converting a penalty kick.
While Wakefield seemingly controlled the match, the Warriors hung close, trailing 4-3 early in the second half.
The Wolverines' Ryan Metts netted a goal, only to be matched by Johnson five minutes later.
Clutching a 5-4 lead, Edwards scored his third goal of the evening in the 58th minute.
Williams pushed the Wakefield lead to 8-4, scoring not one but two more goals, giving him four on the night.
And Wolverine teammate Kevin Kotecki added a penalty kicked in the 69th minute, ending the scoring.
Metts finished with five assists.
Wakefield keeper T.J. Scharville sat out Monday's game with a sprained finger, but should play later in the week. Graham Shover stepped in at net.
Wakefield sophomore Marcus Mcphun (14) pushes the ball upfield in the first half Monday.
Williams lauded Edwards' performance which helped the Wolverines build an early advantage.
"Davis is really improving, and I can't want to get into conference and see him do some damage up-top," the senior said.
Added Sloan," Davis had a very good night for us, and he was very opportunistic."
The Wakefield coach said Monday's outcome might be misleading.
"If you look at the score and you see it was 9-4, you're like, 'Wow, it was a blowout.' But it really wasn't," Sloan said. "It wasn't comfortable until about 15 minutes left."
The coach explained he wasn't thrilled with Monday's result, considering the Wolverines' impressive early-season run — including a sensational effort in a 0-0 tie with Green Hope Aug. 27 — and the fact that Cap-7 Conference play starts next week.
But there could be a silver lining, he also pointed out.
"This shows our boys that we don't have the type of team that's going to come in and roll over everybody," he said.
The Wolverines visit Panther Creek Friday at 6:30 p.m. The following week Wakefield hosts unbeaten Sanderson Tuesday, Sept. 8, and visits Millbrook Wednesday, Sept. 9.
It is a grueling way to kick off the league schedule, but Sloan explained the Wildcats hold no advantage entering the Sept. 9 date — Millbrook plays Broughton the day before.
"It's even," Sloan shrugged, comparing Millbrook and Wakefield's busy opening week.
