An experienced defensive core, along with a first-year goalie who is setting her sites on playing college soccer, are leading the Wolves to their best start in recent memory.
The Clarkston girls varsity soccer team has started the season with a 4-1-2 overall record and have yet to lose a league game. Clarkston recently picked up wins over Stoney Creek and Lake Orion. The Wolves beat the Dragons 2-1 April 23 thanks to a come-from-behind effort. The Wolves trailed 1-0 with about 20 minutes to play before Kristen Mercado tied the game. The game winner came with about 13 minutes left courtesy of Kelly Boskee. Liz Hardy and Mercado drew assists on the Clarkston goals, coach Tami Niemi said.
‘It was a good game for us. I have experienced players and that has a lot to do with us starting the season so well,? Niemi said. ‘They show great determination out there and have a great attitude. They got down, but they found a way to fight back. They just keep working. I think their work ethic is unbelievable.?
Niemi credited several of her defensive players as having solid seasons far for the Wolves. Kelly Dougherty has four years of experience while Jenna Clavette is in the midst of her third varsity campaign. Amanda Leach is also doing a nice job according to Niemi, as is Marie Timm, who is only in her first year of varsity, but is making a strong case for herself.
‘She’s only in her first year with us, but she’s not afraid of anything. Amanda Henderson is also playing real well for us and could very well get a start for us this week,? Niemi said.
Additionally, first-year sophomore goalie Emily Pierce has been a mainstay on the Clarkston defense and has earned a lot of respect from her coach. Pierce earned a shutout victory against Stoney Creek April 22 when Bess Ferguson picked up the game’s only goal.
‘She’s doing a terrific job back there. She’s playing like she’s got varsity experience. She wants to play college ball and I think she’ll start to get recognized,? Niemi said.
Clarkston is 2-0-2 in the OAA II. The Wolves are currently tied with Farmington for second place in the league (at press time).
Clarkston resumes action April 29 at Kimball and then heads to Groves May 4. The Wolves don’t come home until May 13 when they host Andover. But before then, Niemi would like nothing more than to have her team fight its way into first place.
‘We’re doing everything right now. Sure, a couple of those ties we would’ve liked to turn into wins, but we want to win the league and this week coming up for is huge. We just have to take it one game at a time,? Niemi said.
According to Niemi, the Wolves have not won a league championship in girls varsity soccer since 1998.
‘If we keep working, good things will come,? she said.