Kevin Pinkos picked up the soccer ball, twirled it between both of his hands and set it back on to the field.
He took his position and aimed for the net in Clarkston’s free kick opportunity in the last half of the game against Rochester.
The ball went into the net and the Wolves added one more point to the scoreboard, 2-0.
‘It was a total team effort,? said Pinkos after the game. ‘I just tried to put it in the box where all the people were.?
Rochester retaliated two minutes later and scored their only goal for the game.
The game could have gone another direction.
During the first half of the game the Falcons made three simultaneous shots on Clarkston’s net.
Senior goalkeeper Scott Messer was too quick for Rochester and saved the shots from going in.
‘He stepped up tonight,? said Boys Varsity Soccer Head Coach Adam Bican. ‘He is the glue that holds the team together. Sometimes we rely a little too much on him, but at the same time he would tell you it’s a team effort.?
It was also during the first half, the Wolves only made one shot on goal.
Bican told them during half time to get back to Clarkston style ? to get possession back.
‘They got too comfortable with the style of play – relying too much defensively on our defense and playing too direct. We needed to use the space better,? said Bican. ‘We’re just happy to come out of here with a win, Rochester is a dangerous team.?
The team knows after facing them three times last season, one of which was in regionals when Clarkston took the Falcons out of the running for the state championship, 2-1.
Clarkston made five shots on goal and Messer saved seven.
They beat Stoney Creek on Sept. 2, 1-0.
Jarrett Kersten shot the winning goal and had assistance from Nick Posawatz.
The boys now have an overall record of 5-2-1.
The next series of games will be league games, beginning with Rochester Adams yesterday (Tuesday) and Troy on Thursday.
‘You don’t get a night off in the OAA Red,? said Bican.