Sophomore Kyle Hayes helped his team make a statement in the Wolves’ home opener against Rochester on Aug. 26 – they were going to be tough to beat in the 6-1 win.
The Clarkston Boys Varsity team started later due to weather but Hayes made up to fans scoring not once but twice in the first three minutes of the game.
For the first one came 58 seconds into the game after the Wolves were quickly grabbed possession from the Falcons. Junior Jake Hallberg passed the ball to Hayes who sunk it into the back of the net.
Two minutes later Hayes struck again, this time with an assist from junior Suddon.
“He is a big time player,” said Curtis Payment, head coach, about Hayes. “He is hungry for the ball and he is really competitive. His understanding of the game is really above his years. He is a rare talent. I think he is that good. We are excited to have him.”
Junior Alex Komatz was next to score after he weaved in and out of Rochester’s defense blocks. He took a shot, crossing it in front of the net and into the right corner with 15:44 to go in the first half.
For the second half, junior Adam Snider, senior Adam Smart, and Hayes added one goal each to the score.
“It was a dominating performance,” Payment added. “We knew they were young so we wanted to attack them to put them on their heels a little bit and it worked. We were able to hold the ball a lot.”
Senior Grant Gotaas made four saves during the game.
The win gives the boys a boost for their first OAA Red league game as they have high goals in the league.
“It was really important,” Payment said. “That’s why we came out with so much fire – we want to set ourselves up for the league. It was huge night for us.”
The Wolves followed it with a 2-1 loss against Utica Eisenhower the next night. Hayes made the lone goal for Clarkston off a penalty kick.
“We drew a penalty kick in the box so we let him take it and he buried it,” Payment said. “He was dangerous the whole game.”
He added Snider was also dangerous with a lot of shots on the net and creating opportunities.
Senior goalie Cary Wilson made four saves during the game.
“It was similar to the Rochester game – we had possession for majority of the game,” Payment explained. “We outshot them 14-to-6. We just couldn’t seem to get it in the net.”
After the loss, the boys received bad news. Senior forward Joe DeFinis, who sustained an injury during the Traverse City tournament, tore his ACL.
“It was a pretty big punch in the stomach to lose him,” Payment said. “We have to find some people to put the ball in the net. Without Joe guys are going have to rise up.
The boys opened the week against Stoney Creek on Tuesday and host Detroit Catholic Central on Thursday.
“Both teams are probably going to be ranked in the top five,” said Payment, adding the boys will play state champions Ann Arbor Skyline at a tournament on Saturday.
“This week is going to be challenging just have to get through week, get a few wins and stay healthy,” said Payment.