With a strong returning core of seniors and a fresh face at the helm Clarkston’s girls soccer team is looking to make waves.
‘Our seniors are going to be key for us this year,? first year Coach Sarah Smith said.
Smith pointed to senior keeper Emily Pierce and senior defender Marie Timm to solidify the Wolves defense. She expects senior midfielders Nikki Whiteford and Lauren Humphreys to shoulder much of the scoring load this season.
On the whole, Smith and her team are still getting acquainted.
‘We are using some different lineups right now, getting girls used to playing with one another,? said Smith, who added that some Wolves are learning new positions as well.
And while they are still gelling as a unit, the Wolves have jumped right into the fray this season. From their first action of the season Clarkston has four games over seven days to begin the 2006 campaign.
In their season opener, Clarkston tied Waterford Kettering 1-1 on March 24. Whiteford scored Clarkston’s tally one minute into the contest.
The Wolves lost 3-2 to Lake Orion at home on March 27. Humphreys pumped in both of Clarkston’s goals, also taking Clarkston’s only two shots of the game.
‘Clarkston’s a good team. They play hard. That’s why I like to schedule them. You get a little war, this is a neighborhood battle,? Lake Orion Coach Ken Snage said.
After the loss to the Dragons, Smith was not worried about her team’s low shot total, but rather took providence in what she felt was a better defensive effort.
‘We played much better this game than what we did on Friday (against Kettering). We really stepped up our game defensively,? Smith said.
Clarkston’s home game against Stoney Creek on March 28 finished too late for this edition of The Clarkston News.
The Wolves entertain Waterford Mott at home on March 30 before hitting the road to face Rochester High on April 3 and Dondero on April 4.
After opening the season with four straight home games, Clarkston only has one appearance on the CHS stadium turf next month ? against West Bloomfield on April 11.