By Wendi Reardon Price
Staff Writer
wprice@mihomepaper.com
GRAND BLANC — The Clarkston Girls Varsity Lacrosse team opened the season with a close and big win over Grand Blanc, 20-19, on March 20.
“Going into it we definitely wanted the win,” said Melanie Brazil, head coach.
The Wolves opened last spring with a loss to the Bobcats, 18-5, and ended the season with another loss to them in the second round of playoffs, 6-2.
“We wanted to show how good we have gotten, how hard we have been working. This is a great first win. It starts the season off right,” Brazil shared.
Senior Katherine Spiro opened the game with the first goal of the night, scoring it less than 90 seconds into the first quarter.
Grand Blanc responded with a pair of goals from junior Molly Leyes, scored within a span of 12 seconds. Junior Audrey VanValin assisted on both goals.
Clarkston junior Claire Naboychik tied the score with 8:15 left in the quarter, before adding two more goals in the next six minutes to take the lead 4-2.
Sophomore Aubrey Farner finished the quarter with her goal to bring the Wolves up 5-2.
“We talked about on the sidelines it’s a game who wants it more,” said Brazil. “We were fighting for every loose ball, working real hard to keep the ball away from them, winning draws. It all made the difference.”
Clarkston continued to hold onto the lead during the second quarter, outscoring Grand Blanc 5-3, ending the first half 10-5.
Naboychik led the team with eight goals. Junior Kendall Kreft scored four goals.
Sophomore Madilyn Turcsak was the winning goalie for Clarkston.
“It looks on the score she let a lot in, but she stopped a lot,” Brazil said. “Madilyn is on JV but being pulled up here and there to showcase how hard she has been working as well.”
She added defense looked good.
“We started out slow, letting in some girls we shouldn’t have,” Brazil said. “The last two minutes of the game were very stressful because we let in a few goals we shouldn’t have. We did a good job keeping them out. Overall defense is younger this year. We have some new girls stepping in to play on defense. Overall I am happy with the way we did. We just have to tighten up on our girls, make sure we are not giving them any space to get a pass or cut through the middle. A couple of things to tighten up when we get back from spring break.”
She added it should be an exciting season.
“I am excited for everyone to see how hard we have been working,” Brazil said. “Girls lacrosse hasn’t been the most popular sport, the most watched sport, but we have been working really hard the last few years to showcase the skill and talent we do have.”
The varsity team has a lot of players returning from last year with a few new players mixed in.
The girls lacrosse program has a JV team this year and also has two youth teams with a middle school team and an elementary team.
“We have been working extra hard and structuring the program a little bit different,” Brazil said. “I am excited for more people to learn about the program and see all the hard work we have put in.”
The Wolves return from spring break on April 4 as they head to Troy Athens. JV plays at 5:30 p.m., varsity follows.
“We are very excited to play them,” Brazil said. “As long as the girls focus on what we’ve been doing during practice, from Grand Blanc and scrimmages it should be a good game for us.”
The Wolves host their home opener on Wednesday, April 9 against West Bloomfield at the Clarkston High School Stadium. JV plays at 5:30 p.m., varsity follows.
“They really enjoy seeing the stands filled,” Brazil said.

  Clarkston Athletics, Girls Lacrosse