Sophomore Garret Gotaas took his shot in the first half scoring the lone goal for the Wolves against Troy-Athens.
The boys couldn’t get another shot past the Redhawks and finished the OAA Red league game tied at one last Thursday.
‘We really came out to play,? said Clarkston Soccer Varsity Coach Adam Bican. ‘Our work rate was extremely high, which I am happy with. Athens is a good team, they play extremely hard. We knew that going in. I was very happy with the amount of scoring chances we generated. We do have to finish more off of scoring chances but I am very happy with the amount we generated and the intensity and passion the boys showed.?
Goalie Tim Rogers saved five shots on the Wolves goal and Alex Wilson assisted on Gotaas’s goal.
They faced Lahser earlier on September 29 and tied the game at zero.
‘We could have done a few things a little bit better,? said Bican. ‘I think the boys will admit as well ties are unacceptable results for Clarkston. We need to win those games, especially OAA Red games.?
He noted a few players to really stepped their game up – Justin Stroschein, Jarrett Kersten, Dave Thomas, Christian Nickolaou, Jake Ray, and Gotaas.
Bican said forward John Dushaw is out for a few weeks due to an injury from the Lahser game.
‘His loss is felt,? he said. ‘He is a big part of our offense and plays with passion and heart. We have a few boys ready to step in and do their best.?
After the game against Lahser the team changed a few things. They tried different formations, tactical moves and put different players in different positions when they headed to Athens.
‘The boys were totally receptive to the changes and they really stepped up,? said Bican. ‘This group is smart and were able to adjust.?
Though they ended the week with two tied games, it was an improvement from the previous week when they lost to Stoney Creek, 2-1, Lake Orion, 5-3, and tied Rochester, 2-2.
‘We only gave up one goal this week and we gave up nine last week,? said Bican. ‘But that being said, I think last wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. I think it is a good time to get a wake up call before districts and I think the boys understand what it’s like to play under pressure. It’s not a bad thing especially with this group.?
The boys played another league game against Andover on Tuesday.
‘It’s important for us to come out and play our top game against them,? said Bican. ‘We are at home which means we need to protect our home turf. Hopefully we will be able to turn around what happened the last few weeks and give the people that come out a good game to watch.?
The Wolves have a week off until they travel to Holly on October 13.
‘The time off will really help us,? said Bican. ‘We were ganged up a little bit in the schedule for a few weeks..?
The boys are back home next Wednesday when they host Brandon.
Senior night and Parent Appreciation is planned for the night.
JV begns at 5:30 p.m., varsity follows.