Clarkston fans continued to cheer for the Wolves Varsity Soccer team Saturday even after they lost the State Finals to Grand Rapids East Kenwood 0-2.
‘What I can’t say enough of is my boys,? said Coach Bican while looking over at his team. ‘I’m so proud of them. So proud of the way they carried themselves, the way they acted, and the way they played; and the community and the fans, they way they embraced them. You can’t beat it. You can not beat it. All of those things are the reason we got here, not just because of the boys and their commitment to each other. But because of the backing support of the club, community, faculty and school.?
No points were on the scoreboard until the last 20 minutes of the game. Goalie Scott Messer went to get the ball out of the box and Kentwood’s Dzenan Catic took his opportunity and drove the ball forward with a kick into the right side of the net
Kentwood scored their second goal with 16 minutes left in the game when, Domenico Barone kicked into the goal with the assistance of Carlos Esquivel.
‘There’s two teams left and no one wants to see their season end,? said Wolves Coach Adam Bican. ‘Of course it had to end today. It’s fantastic to be here. We wanted to win. And I think these boys, the underclassmen, will understand what it takes to get here. And they want to get back here, I know it. We have a lot of kids returning back for next year. It’s special to be here.?
‘They’re great,? said East Kentwood Coach John Conlon of his competition. ‘I thought Clarkston physically was the best team we have seen. Defensively, they were very well coached, very well organized. It was hard to break them down. Oliver, every time he touched the ball you held your breath. We were concerned with him seeing the ball. We did our best to take the ball away from him. When he gets the ball, there’s not a whole lot you can do. He’s going to be a star.?
The boys received medals for taking the runner-up position. Coach Bican accepted the MHSAA Trophy for the runner-up position.
Clarkston ended their season 18-4-3.