Though a five-game losing streak hangs around their necks, after losing 3-1 at home to Troy Athens on Sept. 29, the Clarkston varsity soccer team is keeping their heads up.
‘The key is that our kids didn’t give up and that’s character and that’s what we want out of them and I’m proud of how we played,? said Clarkston Assistant Coach Adam Bican. ‘We maintained a level of intensity (against Athens) for 60-65 minutes and we need to have that for 80 minutes.?
While the losing streak is taking a toll, the Wolves? players back up the words of the coaching staff.
‘We’re working hard as a team and coming together,? said senior Joel Parrish. ‘We always say winning is contagious, a win would be helpful.?
Parrish scored Clarkston’s lone goal against the Red Hawks with 2:53 left in the first half. Freshman Kevin Pinkos assisted on Parrish’s goal setting up the score with a soft pass off a free kick just outside of Athens penalty box.
‘The first time we played them we scored one and they collapsed. Tonight, I think they took it a step up. We scored, but they persevered and buried that one for the equalizer and put it 1-1 at halftime,? said Storch.
Clarkston and Athens played last on Sept. 6. The first match was tied 0-0 at halftime before Athens tallied five goals in the second half while Clarkston remained scoreless throughout.
?(This time) we made it 2-1 with 20 minutes left and we got the third goal with 15 minutes left, but you know what, they didn’t quit. Last time that game would have turned into a 4 or 5 to 1 goal game,? said Storch. ?(Clarkston Coach Mark Whitcomb and Bican) have done a really nice job. They’ve got these guys to a point where they can compete with anyone, the only thing they lack is a little bit of confidence to do it over 80 minutes.?
Athens? Jake Munchiando scored all three of his team’s goals.
The Wolves? record now stands at 3-10-1 after losing to Athens and in a 3-0 loss to Rochester Adams on Sept. 27.
‘There’s two routes you can take. You can give up and the team breaks up or you can be stronger and not give up; and these kids have character and they work all the time,? said Kern.
Clarkston’s contest at Detroit Catholic Central on Oct. 3 finished too late for this edition of The Clarkston News.
Next up for the Wolves is an away game with Troy High on Oct. 5, a team Clarkston tied 1-1 on Sept. 6. Clarkston plays at home against Traverse City West on Oct. 7.