STAC BOYS SOCCER: WAVERLY RALLIES IN. SECOND HALF; TOPS WINDSOR, 3-2, FOR FIRST WIN OF SEASON (24 PHOTOS) (September 18, 2026)

Valley Sports Report
WAVERLY — Freshman Ian Johnston scored with five minutes left in the game to lift Waverly to its first win of the season — a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Windsor — here Friday afternoon on the high school field.

"It's a big win for the team tonight," said Waverly coach Jon Rankin. "We came in with a new game plan and some changes in personnel that had a good impact on tonight’s match.

"We ended the first half at 0-0, and knew we had to be on our game," he noted. "We gave up two early goals (in the second half) due to Windsor coming out strong and adjusting their plan. We’ve told the boys someone has to claim a loose ball in the air, or on the ground and that’s how we gained our deficit.

"After that, we completely changed our game and the boys were in great form," said Rankin. 

"We were able to earn our first goal on a throw-in ... after that, the boys played with great determination — it was the goal that set the tone and pace for the rest of the match. 

"Once the final whistle went off, a wave of relief came over all of us as we were able to put all the pieces together and walk out with a win," added Rankin. "We still have plenty of season left and can still make something great of it, especially with this new-found momentum."

With Windsor leading 2-0 early in the second half, junior Hayden Roskow headed in a senior Collin Wheeler throw-in for the Wolverines' first goal with 20 minutes remaining to close the gap to 2-1.

About 7 1/2 minutes later, Wheeler recorded another assist with a direct kick that resulted in a goal by sophomore Jerrod Brown to tie the game at 2-2.

"Collin (Wheeler) came to me on the direct kick looking for another idea and we agreed on a far post intended for Ian Johnston," said Rankin. "After the kick, the Windsor defense knocked it out, where Jerrod Brown came crashing in to earn us the equalizer."

With 5 minutes remaining, Johnston took possession of the ball from a Windsor defender, dribbled past two more defenders, and "placed a beautiful ball" just over the head of the keeper to give the Wolverines a 3-2 lead.

Windsor had an 8-5 advantage in shots-on-goal, and a 10-1 edge in corner kicks.

Sophomore James Cole had six saves in net for the Wolverines.

Waverly, now 1-5, returns to action Monday at Susquehanna Valley.

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IN PHOTO 1: Waverly's Collin Wheeler. IN TOP PHOTO: Waverly's James Cole. ... PHOTOS BY MATT PATTON.

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