Kickers put away their first win of the MHSAA District playoffs on Monday night, defeating Flint Carman Ainsworth, 8-0.
“Our boys played really well,” said Clarkston Boys Varsity Soccer Coach Chuck Lawhorn. “We have been working on things during practice and they executed really well.”
Carman Ainsworth started with control of the ball but Clarkston defenders put it into the Cavaliers’ turf.
The Wolves score four goals within the first 20 minutes including two from junior Conor Bright, a goal from sophomore Brad Schultz and freshman Jimmy Todd.
The Cavaliers slipped into the Wolves’ den with ten minutes to go in the first half but were denied a shot on the net by senior goalie Trevor Smith.
Clarkston brought it back down the field where Schultz scored again. The goalie lept out of the net and Schultz kept going in direction of the net – jumping over the goalie and putting the ball into the net.
Junior Ryan Mangapora scored with 1:36 left in the half, sending both teams to break, 6-0.
“Carman Ainsworth was a bit outmatched. Our bench was a little more deeper than theirs,” said Lawhorn, adding he put more players in. “We have been working on getting the bench in. The experience is really good. It gives us a lot more depth going into districts.”
Freshman Ben Snider and senior Spenser Pawlik closed the game with 28:32 after each scored a goal.
The boys are 12-11 after beating Lahser, 3-2 on Oct. 13 and Holly, 3-1 on Oct. 12.
During the game against Lahser, the boys were down 1-0 before going into the second half. Junior Jordan Keift scored two goals and Bright added one more for the win. Bright also had an assist. Todd and senior Blake Schultz added assists.
Brad Schultz along with seniors Grant Huber and Jacob Kornas scored against Holly.
The semi-finals are held Wednesday at Grand Blanc High School, 5p.m. The Wolves will play Davison, who beat Oxford in the first round, 2-1.
“I don’t know much about Davison so we will see,” said Lawhorn. “It should be interesting and should be fun.”
The winner moves on to play the Grand Blanc/Lake Orion winner on Friday, 4 p.m.