The first minutes set the tone for the Wolves against Northville at Detroit Catholic Central on Saturday afternoon in their 14-7 win.
The Mustangs won the face-off to open the game but the Clarkston Boys Varsity Lacrosse defenders turned over possession with a block.
Senior Robert Hall passed the ball to senior Reid Kaminski, who shot on the net, putting it in for the first goal with 11:26 left in the first quarter. Kaminski struck again 15 seconds later, tacking another goal onto the score.
‘We were at a neutral site but it was still a home game for us,? said Brian Kaminskas, head coach. ‘We haven’t lost at home in three year and it is an important thing for these guys to keep the tradition going. The seniors, more than anyone, stepped up at the start of the game. They took that responsibility on and did well with it. They worked hard and they were full of energy. I was very happy with it.?
The Wolves continued control of the ball and scored five more goals before the quarter finished with two from senior Connor Ward, one from senior Cooper Parks, one from junior Andrew Williamson and one from Hall, putting the score 7-0.
Kaminski led the scoring with three goals and one assist while Ward and Cole Phillips added two goals each. Ward assisted on four goals for the day.
‘Reid had a nice game and Ward had a good game,? Kaminskas added.
The Wolves made 24 shots on the Mustangs? net and senior Jake Hendricks made nine saves before sophomore David Taylor took over covering the net.
‘Jake played an extremely good game,? Kaminskas said. ‘He was terrific in the net against Northville and Detroit Catholic Central. His save percentage was well over 50 percent both times which is good for a goalie.?
The Wolves lost to Detroit Catholic Central on Thursday in their season opener, 11-9.
The game was tied with four minutes to go before the Shamrocks scored two goals late in the game.
‘We had an opportunity for a shot and we didn’t get it to bring it within one,? Kaminskas added. ‘It was a great game especially with all the practice challenges we have been having with the weather.?
Ward led with five goals and Kaminski had two goals in the game. Senior Connor Dziewit and Williamson added one goal each. Dziewit also had two assists.
The boys made 23 shots on the net and Hendricks made 12 saves for the night.
‘When we are talking about DCC, we are talking about a different breed,? Kaminskas added. ‘They are one of the traditional longstanding powerhouse teams in the state of Michigan. To be that close and do that well early in the season says a lot about our guys.?
He noted the games against Northville and Detroit Catholic Central as the boys take on Haslett and University of Detroit Jesuit High School.
‘It is going to be a difficult week,? Kaminskas added. ‘We set our schedule up so we were playing most or if not all of the powerhouses going into spring break. We wanted to test ourselves early.?
The Wolves opened the week on Tuesday against Haslett.
‘Haslett is a pretty big competitive team from mid-Michigan area,? he said going into the game.
Then, they head to University of Detroit Jesuit on Thursday, which he noted is one of the longstanding lacrosse teams.
‘We still have practice challenges. It will be a challenging week we are playing two more really good teams. We are expecting the guys to respond and play well and play our game. I think good things will happen for us. I think it will let us know where we are before we head into break next week.?
The game against the Cubs is at 8200 S. Cambridge in Detroit. JV begins at 5 p.m., varsity follows.