Whether they are playing the fluffiest of creampuffs or the most ferocious of juggernauts, Clarkston Soccer Coach Sarah Smith wants her team to believe in their abilities on the field ? something she feels was lacking last week.
The Wolves lost 2-0 to Stoney Creek on March 28, defeated Waterford Mott 7-1 on March 30 and lost 5-0 to Rochester High on March 3.
‘If they believe they can beat a team they will go out and do it. Unfortunately they have lost so many times to teams like Stoney Creek and Rochester, it’s hard to get them to think they can beat those teams,? Smith said.
In their runaway victory over Mott, Smith liked what she saw.
‘Things went right that evening both defensively and offensively,? Smith said. ‘We went out there believing we could beat them.?
In the victory senior Lauren Humphreys scored twice to bring her season goal total to four. Sophomore Sophomore Dannielle Thomas, junior Brittany Davis, senior Nikki Whiteford, senior Kristin Mercado and junior Laura Gabriel all had a goal in the win as well.
While Smith was thrilled with the way her team summarily dispatched Mott, she could not get past the sting of the Wolves shut-out losses.
‘We need to work on playing 80 minutes instead of 40. Right now it looks like we are a second half team,? Smith said.
Smith believes the cure for the Wolves first half doldrums can be whipped up in short order.
‘We’re just going to keep working harder and keep the lines of communication open,? Smith said.
The week ahead offers a good mix of games and practice in which to right the ship.
Clarkston’s match at Dondero on April 4 finished too late for this edition of The Clarkston News. On April 7 the Wolves travel to Seaholm in the second of two league games this week.
?(Dondero and Seaholm are) both going to give us competition. It’s certainly not going to be easy. I know the girls can pull it off, but they have to believe it as well,? Smith said.
Wrapping up their schedule before spring break, Clarkston hosts West Bloomfield on April 11 and visits Rochester Adams on April 12.
The Wolves record stands at 1-3-1 (0-1).