Every team wants to have some momentum going into the postseason.
The Clarkston boys lacrosse team will have plenty when regional play begins this week after defeating Rockford 8-7 on May 21.
The win was the Wolves seventh in a row and against one of the top teams in Michigan. Rockford entered the game ranked No. 13 in the state.
‘It was the best game I’ve seen them play all year,? Clarkston Coach Brian Kaminskas said. ‘We have been working towards this. Their transition was terrific and their defense was solid. It was the toughest opponent we lined up against all year. For us to come out and beat them, it will give us momentum going into the playoffs and help us get to where we want to go. The guys are confident and it’s exactly where we want to be.?
Senior Matthew Ullrich led Clarkston with three goals. He said he is pleased with how the team has performed the last few weeks.
‘We have been working hard since October and I think it’s starting to pay off now,? Ullrich said. ‘It’s starting to show all the hard work we put in.?
Clarkston was able to defeat the Rams thanks to a solid first half. Senior Marcus Craft netted the first goal for Clarkston a little over two minutes into the game. Rockford’s CJ Scholl tied the game at one with 9:13 left in the first quarter.
Senior Brent Fisher responded by scoring the next two goals for the Wolves and Ullrich scored with 53 second left in the first quarter to give his team a 4-1 lead.
The Rams? Zack O’Connor cut the lead to two with 8:53 left in the first half, but Ullrich responded with two more goals for the Wolves to give them a 6-2 lead at halftime.
Rockford started to mount a comeback in the third quarter. The Rams scored three quick goals to cut Clarkson’s lead to one.
Senior David Isaac gave Clarkston some breathing room when he scored with 5:26 left in the third quarter, but Rockford’s Nate Grimm cut the lead back to one, 7-6, when he found the net with 1:16 left in the third.
Senior Mike Sasse scored what turned out to be the game-winning goal for Clarkston early in the fourth quarter off an assist from junior Eric Salo. Rockford’s Raymond Sabon gave his team a chance to tie the game when he scored with 4:29 left in the game, but Clarkston’s senior goalkeeper Steve Johns made two critical saves in the final four minutes.
Johns finished with 11 saves to earn the win.
Kaminskas said he was pleased with the team’s effort and he really liked the way Ullrich played offensively.
‘The way he came out and took control of the offense is exactly how we want him to play,? Kaminskas said. ‘It’s what we expect of him. He is one of our captains and one of our leaders out there.?
The Wolves will start the state playoffs with revenge on their mind. They will attempt to avenge an early season loss to Farmington in the first round of regionals on May 26.
‘We lost to them in the regular season by one goal,? Kaminskas said. ‘The kids want another shot at them and are getting pretty psyched to play them.?