After checking off ‘win regional opener? from their playoff checklist for the first time, Clarkston is left with another goal for next year’s boys lacrosse season: advancing to the regional final.
The Wolves fell 15-3 to the University of Detroit Jesuit at Walled Lake Northern Thursday in the regional semifinals. The win propelled the Cubs to the finals where they were to meet Birmingham United Saturday afternoon.
Clarkston (12-9) came out firing in the first six minutes of the first quarter, getting a goal from Steve Giannaris and another by Jon Avery five minutes later with 6:12 remaining to post a 2-0 lead. Clarkston wouldn’t change the illuminated maroon light bulbs of the scoreboard until Chris Salo scored with 7:24 remaining in the game.
UDJ (6-14) added the final four goals of the first quarter, playing like a team possessed with their fast-paced game.
‘We knew U of D was a quick team and they’re used to playing at a faster rate. One thing we wanted to do was slow the ball down and once they got it rolling, it was tough for us,? Clarkston coach Bryan Kaminskas said.
‘They’re used to playing faster and the ball bounces their way when that happens.?
The Wolves try to prepare for the advanced level of play expected in the playoffs by scheduling non-conference challenges with strong programs, Kaminskas said.
‘We were anticipating playing tougher teams at this point in the year, we were doing our best to prepare,? he said.
‘We scouted them a few times and the things we coached to prepare for in practice, we mastered. The certain plays they ran, we locked down and did fine. This is the speed we expected and we’re just not there yet.?
Clarkston forced UDJ to play a ‘run-and-gun? game and search around the field, Kaminskas said.
The Cubs posted three goals in the second quarter, giving themselves a 7-2 lead at the half and pulled further away with a five-goal third quarter. UDJ fired 29 shots on Clarkston keeper Zack Lewy.
‘He did alright. The problem with the speed of the game is that the goalie is going to get hung out to dry like that,? Kaminskas said.
‘He stood tall and did a pretty good job. He’s an All-State candidate and he played deserving of that.?
Cubs senior attackman Tim Van Tiem, who scored four goals, has ascended to team-leader status, UDJ coach Sean Leary said.
‘He played phenomenal. He’s a kid that’s been hurt a lot of the year,? Leary said.
‘He’s the quarterback of our offense and not having him hurt us because we couldn’t get in a flow on offense. He possesses the ball well and he creates things and can settle things down.?
A win over a quality team like Clarkston bodes well for the Cubs as they move on in the playoffs, Leary said.
‘They picked up the effort and played very hard. That was the big difference. Our guys played as hard as they have all year,? he said.
‘They’re a good team and you don’t come out and play hard and make mistakes, they’re going to take advantage.
‘We stopped making mistakes and started to play harder after the first six minutes.?