An impressive start it wasn’t, but Clarkston’s boys lacrosse team found a beginning ground in their season-opening 12-2 loss to Warren De La Salle Friday.
Dexter Jacques scored twice in the opening minute and Dan Shortt scored his first of three goals at 9:39 of the first period to give the Pilots a 3-0 lead.
Adam Haslinger answered for the Wolves at 7:08 of the first quarter, but that was the last goal Clarkston would have before the waning minutes when Jon Avery scored with 6:39 left.
‘We know we need to do a lot of work on transition and on ground balls. The kids worked hard and there was no quit, so we’re certainly thrilled with their work ethic and their pride,? Clarkston coach Brian Kaminskas said.
After opening with five goals in the first quarter, the Pilots scored only three in the second and none in scoreless third quarter. Kaminskas chalked Wolves goalie Zack Lewy’s tough outing on nerves.
‘He had a lot of first-game jitters and it really showed in that first half. At halftime, we made some adjustments and we settled in and got comfortable,? Kaminskas said.
‘They know they can leave this one on the field and we always tell them to find something they can use to make themselves better.?
In a sound victory, Pilots coach Chris Ferrari found areas for his team to improve upon after their first game.
‘I’m pleased. It was a little sloppy, but it was the first game,? Ferrari said.
‘I’m pleased with the result, the guys played together as a team today and they did a lot of the things that we’ve been working on so far this season.?
The Pilots, in a new system on the attack, learned seemed to learn their new schemes quickly.
‘We put in the new offense this year and we’re still learning it, but they’re looking for each other, which is a key thing in an offense, to not try and do too much by yourself,? Ferrari said.