The game of inches cliche was in full effect last Thursday night at Lake Orion High School.
Just over 12 minutes into their district semifinal game against Rochester Adams, the Dragons sent a shot off square off the crossbar.
A minute and a half later, Lake Orion trailed 2-0.
Adams? Corey Makowski and Thomas Casey scored less than a minute apart, prompting the Dragon coaching staff to yank senior goalkeeper Ryan King in favor of sophomore Aram Keteyian.
‘Ryan has been a great goalkeeper all year, but he gets nervous in big games,? said assistant coach Geoff Harris. ‘We thought he let in two easy goals.?
Trailing 2-0 at the break, the Dragons played like a much different team in the second half.
With 12:22 remaining, their effort finally paid off, in the form of a Reed Losee goal to trim the deficit to 2-1.
Thirty seconds later, Keteyian made a point blank save to keep the Dragons within striking distance, but their offense failed to register any more quality scoring chances and Adams held on for the win.
‘I thought we played very well in the first half, but a 2-0 lead is a dangerous one to protect,? said Adams coach Juan Delgado.
‘Obviously, it’s become a rivalry,? he added. ‘I give them a lot of credit. They made it tough for us in the end.?
The Adams win avenged a 3-2 loss to the Dragons in last year’s district final. The two teams split their regular season meetings this season, though Adams won the OAA I crown.
‘They were simply the better team,? Harris said of Adams, noting his squad will be back.
The Dragons played three freshmen this year and have more young talent on the way, along with plethora of returning varsity players.
‘We’ll be a much better team next year,? Harris said.
Prior to the Adams loss, Losee’s first half hat-trick helped the Dragons to an easy 6-0 win in their playoff opener versus Pontiac Northern on Oct. 17.
Dan Kelly, Tim Stonerock and Kyle Snage also recorded goals in the win.
Lake Orion finished the year at 10-7-2 overall.
Adams went on to win the district, beating Clarkston in a shootout on Saturday.