GROTON — Waverly scored a pair of second-half goals en route to a 2-1 win over Groton here Wednesday night in non-league boys soccer action.

The win was the second against Groton in 24 hours for Wolverines.

“It was a great end to the season,” said Waverly coach Jon Rankin. “The boys were excited, and it was an intense, and physical match.” 

After a scoreless first half, 8th-grader Braiden Judson took a cross from junior Peyton Robinson at the far post and directed it into the back of the net to give the Wolverines a 1-0 lead about five minutes into the second half.

Ten minutes later, senior Adam Hirthler picked up a deflection by the Groton keeper off a shot by Robinson, and knocked it into the back of the net to make it 2-0.

“It was a very exciting night, when an 8th-grader and a senior score — everyone gets excited,” said Rankin. 

“I am incredibly proud of those boys for their determination on the field,” he noted. “They made the same runs probably 25 times before it paid off.

“It makes me happy that I have a team full of guys who want to see each other succeed,” added Rankin. “They push each other and want to succeed together.”

Groton scored with about 10 minutes remaining to close the gap to 2-1, but the Waverly defense held them at bay for the remainder of the game.

Waverly had a 10-4 advantage in shots-on-goal, and a 5-0 edge in corner kicks.

Aiden Doherty had three saves in net for the Wolverines.

Waverly finishes the season at 3-13.

————————

IN PHOTO: Waverly’s Braiden Judson. … VSR STOCK PHOTO.