BY WENDI REARDON PRICE
Clarkston News Sports Writer
The last time the Wolves faced Lake Orion they walked away with a loss – now with growth and more experience under their belts they are looking for a win and regional crown in their next match up against the Dragons on Wednesday, May 31.
“We have to be dialed in,” said Clarkston Boys Varsity Lacrosse Head Coach Brian Kaminskas. “For the first game we were not dialed in. With the young guys understanding the rivalry I think they get it now. They understand there’s going to a battle and be ready for it.”
The Wolves advanced to the final round avenging their earlier loss to another OAA Red foe Bloomfield Hills, 13-6.
“They came to play,” said Kaminskas. “We had our senior dinner Wednesday. I don’t talk any lacrosse at the dinner, but that’s all they want to talk about. They were dialed in and they were ready to play ball.”
Sophomore Eric Czimadia put Clarkston on the board within the first 80 seconds with his first of three goals of the night. Bloomfield tied the score two minutes later after spending a short time in the Wolves’ territory.
The Blackhawks attempted to pull into the lead but their shot was blocked and knocked away by senior Jake Hodges.
It was Clarkston who broke the tie with Czimadia’s second goal as the clock stopped at 5:48.
With less than a minute remaining in the first quarter, Bloomfield tied the score again. It was shortlived as sophomore Keelan McKouen struck with his goal with eight seconds left in the period off a pass from junior Dakota Locher.
McKouen struck two more times in the next quarter with one goal each from junior Jordan Sommerville and Locher to close the first half, 7-2.
“The first quarter we came out ready to play, but you are still feeling each other out,” said Kaminskas. “You are going, but you are soft. The second quarter they got their legs underneath them. Their shots started to sink, and they just started to fly.”
He added defense was also more physical in the second quarter.
“They have a little more confidence so they started to play more aggressive,” he said. “Our defense longsticks played terrific and Danny (Milano) had some great plays in the net.”
The Wolves scored three goals during the third quarter in a span of a minute from McKouen, Locher and Hodges before Bloomfield Hills scored two goals.
The Wolves won the first round of regionals against Waterford United, 17-0. Sommerville led with five goals, sophomore Drew Vandenberg scored four while Locher and King had two goals each.
“It was a good day for us to get our systems ran and get our sticks tuned,” said Kaminskas.
The regional final at Lake Orion is at 7 p.m. The winner moves on to Walled Lake Northern on Saturday for the quarterfinals, 2:30 p.m.

  Boys Lacrosse, MHSAA Regionals