Scoring balance boosts Wayzata girls

Grace Estby, now playing soccer for the University of Minnesota, was far and away Wayzata High’s scoring leader last season.

Estby found the back of the net in almost every game as the Trojans finished second in the state behind Lake Conference rival Edina.

Wayzata head coach Tony Peszneker knew there would need to be adjustments without Estby this season, and he has been pleased with the Trojans’ new-found scoring balance. As of Saturday, Sept. 28, the Trojans’ record was 12-1-1 overall and three Trojan players were near the top in Lake Conference scoring. The stat sheet showed senior forward Tenley Sender with 25 points on 15 goals and 10 assists, sophomore forward Lauren Craig with 24 points on 11 goals and 13 assists and senior midfielder Sarah Hyde with 15 points on 12 goals and three assists. There would most likely be another player in this group of scorers if junior forward Kate Amelotte had not suffered a season-ending injury early in the season.

In matches last week, Wayzata shut out Minneapolis Washburn 5-0 and Eastview 4-0.

In the Eastview match, Hyde scored a pair of goals, Senden had a goal and an assist and captain Nicole Mahabadi added a goal.

Against Washburn, Hyde scored twice. Senden and Craig each had a goal and an assist and Alex Vellieux also found the back of the net.

In both matches, junior Sophia Alvarez recorded the shutouts in goal.

“Sophia didn’t face a lot of shots because we didn’t make defensive mistakes,” coach Peszneker said. “We have figured out what our starting lineup will be for the playoffs. In both games last week, we were able to get everyone in. Our goal is to be at our best at the end of the season.”

Wayzata will charge into the Section 6AAA playoffs as the No. 1 seed. Minneapolis Washburn and Minneapolis Southwest are among the Trojans’ most consistent playoff rivals, year in and year out. The Armstrong girls have been playing well lately and could be a threat.

Despite a sterling overall record, Wayzata may not win the Lake Conference title. Going into the final round of Lake play, Edina was one game ahead of Wayzata.

“A loss to Edina and a tie with Minnetonka early in the season set us back,” Peszneker said.

Lake standings

Edina 4-0-1, Wayzata 3-1-1, Minnetonka 3-2-1, Buffalo 2-1-2, Eden Prairie 1-2-1, St. Michael-Albertville 1-3-0, Hopkins 0-5-0.