Seeking to avenge their opening season loss, Waldorf’s Varsity Boys Soccer Team hosted Lawrence Woodmere Academy (LWA). Both teams came out cautiously and tried to test each other. Waldorf created several good scoring opportunities but could not capitalize on the chances, and the first half ended at a 00-00 draw.

In the second half, Waldorf, needing the win to secure second place in the IPPSAL conference standings, applied more offensive pressure. Junior tri-captain midfielder Peter Escribano fed a pass to senior tri-captain midfielder Orin Pearce down the left side. Pearce turned the ball inside, beating two defenders, and fired a low drive into the near-post for the 01-00 Waldorf lead.

Six minutes later, Escribano took a direct free kick from 30 yards out on the right wing and dropped the ball past the goalkeeper and inside the far post for the 02-00 advantage. Meanwhile, the tight defensive work by senior Eric Tsai, juniors Sam Resnick and Ho Sub Kim, sophomore Sheppard Somers, and senior goalkeeper Max Novick held LWA’s attacks at bay.

Around the 70th minute of play, Pearce fed a through pass to onrushing senior midfielder Cody Bach who beat the LWA goalie to the opposite corner for the 03-00 Waldorf lead. LWA tried to mount several offensive attacks, but kept getting stonewalled by Waldorf’s defense and midfield. With less than five minutes remaining, Pearce came down the right wing and put up a crossing ball that freshman Max Sapuppo headed into the LWA goal for the 4-0 Waldorf win.

Waldorf outshot their opponent 19-09, while Novick recorded six saves to preserve the shutout. “The second half was the best I’ve seen from any team in some time,” acknowledged Coach Paul LeSueur. “Our boys carried out the game plan very effectively, and everyone put in their best effort.” With one game remaining before the IPPSAL playoffs, Waldorf is now in second place. The team will play the Knox School on Friday, October 19th at home on the Laszlo Jurak Athletic Field. The game will begin at 4:30 pm.