BY WENDI REARDON PRICE
Clarkston News Sports Writer
It wasn’t the result Clarkston kickers wanted in the 4-3 loss against Troy Athens last Thursday, but the Wolves showed they can compete.
“It was an excellent performance,” said Clarkston Girls Varsity Soccer Head Coach Damian Huffer. “Like I said to them, I thought for the effort and quality of a relatively new team, we are really young, it was superb.”
Athens opened the scoring ten minutes into the game.
Clarkston tied the score with 18 minutes remaining in the first half from sophomore Ava Bechtell off a pass from freshman Emma Bradley.

The Redhawks made attempts on the net to get the lead before the half ended but were denied by goalie junior Annabelle Yeloushan and Clarkston defense.
The Wolves took a 2-1 lead less than ten minutes into the second half off a goal from sophomore Michaela Holbein from junior Emma Horne.
“It was a great cross,” Huffer added.
Athens answered with back to back goals with 24 minutes remaining in the game.
Freshman Macie Moscovic tied the game off a free kick with 15:38 left in the night.
“I thought against a team that’s going to be challenging for the Division 1 title every year it showed we can compete with anyone in this level,” Huffer said.
“What we have to do is eliminate the silly little mistakes like leaving people unattended at the back post which is something we spoke about at half time,” he added. “It’s a good learning experience. If anything it will give the group confidence. The attitude and never die spirit was superb. The fact they were down a couple of times, came back and took the lead. It was an interesting game and great battle against a really good team. I am proud of the effort.”
The Wolves opened the season with a 2-1 against Waterford Mott, April 6, with both goals from Holbein.
Clarkston was up 1-0 in the first half. The Corsairs tied the game seconds into the second half.
Sophomore Emerson Wood had a corner kick and Holbien headed the ball into the net for the winning goal.
“We were pretty much in control,” said Huffer. “We just couldn’t finish. We had about 60-70 percent possession. We have about 15 decent chances.”
Clarkston opened the week at Avondale for their first league game.
“It will be a good test,” Huffer said. “I am expecting they are going to continue to improve. It’s a really talented group.”
He added with last season being cancelled the athletes are relieved to be playing.
“Most of us are excited given the circumstances. I think it means a lot,” Huffer said. “For me personally last year we had a really great team but this year talent wise and depth wise is probably the best group we have had. We will take any season. Hopefully we will get a 15-game season in which is the schedule. It’s going to be a promising season with a really good group.”
The Wolves host Lakeland this Saturday. JV plays at 12 p.m., varsity follows. They host Birmingham Seaholm on Tuesday, April 20. JV plays at 5:30 p.m., varsity follows. Both games are scheduled to be at the Clarkston High School stadium.

  Clarkston Girls Varsity Soccer, Soccer