Clarkston was two different teams against Birmingham Seaholm ? and Clarkston girls soccer Coach Sarah Smith was not happy about it.
The Wolves came out sluggish in the first half and allowed the Maples to take a 2-0 lead. The Wolves played better in the second half, but could not overcome the two goal deficit as they fell 2-1.
‘We had the worst first half I’ve ever seen,? Smith said. ‘Fundamentally, we didn’t take care of the ball. The second half was much better. We got our composure. We made passes and looked up. We played good fundamental soccer. We were also much more aggressive in the second half.?
Seaholm Coach Mike Thomas agreed with Smith and was surprised by Clarkston’s play in the first half.
‘The last game we played them they were much quicker,? Thomas said. ‘I expected them to be much quicker the first half. They just stood around and let us control the ball, which I found unusual. In the second half, they came out and were the Clarkston team I expected to play against.?
Afton Delvecchio netted the first goal for the Maples and Akli Delvecchio made the score 2-0 when she sent a free kick into the net from about 35 yards out.
Clarkston was able to create some quality chances in the second half and cut into the Maples lead when Lauren Humphreys scored with 28:14 left to play.
The Wolves stayed aggressive, but Seaholm was able to hold on. Smith said she was pleased with the team’s effort in the second half, especially Humphreys.
‘Lauren Humphreys had an amazing game,? Smith said. ‘She played aggressive. She made good runs at the ball, took her shots and got back on defense. She played an all around aggressive game and kept her composure. A lot of players made really good plays, but we just didn’t make them together. It can’t be three or four people. It has to be the whole team. I don’t know what it is, but they didn’t come to play today.?
With the win, Seaholm (8-1-2, 6-1-1 OAA II) remains in first place in league play. Clarkston drops to 2-8-2 and 0-6-1 in the conference. The loss to the Maples was Clarkston’s second straight one goal loss. The Wolves lost to Farmington 2-1 on May 9. Smith said she was really happy with the way the team played against the Falcons.
‘We played great on Tuesday,? Smith said. ‘We had several quality chances, but we couldn’t find the net on (May 9). We were aggressive and we moved the ball. There was a lot of good things that came out of that game. (Against Seaholm), we played like that in the second half, but you can’t play one half of a soccer game and expect to win. We are making improvements everyday. I see that as a team and as individuals. I’m happy about that, but I want my girls to show up and play.?
The Wolves will hit the field again on May 17 when they host Royal Oak Kimball. Clarkston’s game against West Bloomfield on May 16 finished too late for this edition of The Clarkston News.