The Lady Wolves were on fire as soon as their game against Waterford United in the first round of the MHSAA Regionals last Thursday.
Senior Stephanie Dellinger grabbed possession of the ball and passed it to junior Lauren Sharkey, who scored 13 seconds into the game.
The Clarkston Girls Varsity Lacrosse team won the first round, 18-3.
“It was a good win,” said head coach Stephanie Dellinger. “They executed exactly what we have been practicing.”
The girls had an 11-point lead before Waterford United scored with 2:22 left in the first half. They made another attempt with less than a minute to go but goalie Kylie Cohu stopped the ball.
“Cohu really stepped up,” Dellinger added. “We have been practicing her really hard the last couple of weeks. She really made the difference.”
Freshman Mary Schlaff agreed.
“She has been working really hard,” she added.
The Lady Wolves opened the second half with the same powerful momentum as Sharkey scored two within the first three minutes of play.
Schlaff was next to score as she drove towards Waterford’s net. She took a step to the right and made the shot on the goal, putting the Lady Wolves further into the lead, 14-1.
“We always have a strong offense,” coach noted. “They pulled through just like they normally do.”
Waterford United’s trips into Clarkston’s turf were short as defense was quick to attack and get the ball back to the other end of the field.
“I told the attack we have to start with defense right off the bat,” coach added. “They did. Our attack defense and middies were really solid. Across the board it was a great game.”
Sharkey had seven goals during the game and Dellinger added five. Schlaff had three, Anna Gray had two and Madison McGuire added one for the game.
“My team really brings me up,” Schlaff added about playing in her first regional game and scoring goals. “They keep me going. Being a freshman I have a lot of people to look up to.”
The Lady Wolves take on Grand Blanc on Thursday at 5 p.m.
“We have been practicing hard,” Schlaff said. “It will be a tough game.?
“I feel like we have had a lot of down time,” coach added. “We get into game mode and executing what we do best. If Grand Blanc was scouting us they saw what they saw – that is Clarkston.”
The winner moves on to the finals on Saturday at 2 p.m. to play Brighton or Hartland for the regional title. Both games are at Lake Orion High School.