Even as the seconds ticked down on Clarkston soccer’s season, the Wolves refused to give up ? applying constant pressure on the offensive end in pursuit of a third goal to tie their district semifinal game against Rochester Adams.
‘They fought and fought and fought,? said Clarkston Coach Mark Whitcomb.
In the end, the Highlanders proved victorious 3-2, closing the books on the Wolves season for the third straight year in districts.
Clarkston was forced to play from behind early on as Adams? Joe Connolly scored 6:18 into the game.
The Highlander’s pressure on the Clarkston net seemed constant in the first half. Senior goaltender Barak Thomas proved up to the challenge, stopping five shots and keeping Clarkston within striking distance.
?(The first half) was the worst 40 minutes we played in weeks,? said Whitcomb.
A livelier Clarkston team took the pitch in the second half and the bounce in their step was rewarded when senior Joel Parrish gently played a ball forward from midfield to speedy sophomore Oliver Kupe. Kupe out raced two Adams defenders and whistled a shot past the goalkeeper to knot the game 1-1 with 30:28 remaining.
But Adams responded to the threat admirably as Connolly tallied another goal off a corner kick with 26:11 remaining and Ryan Blackwell added the eventual game winner with 17:06 left in the game.
Never saying ‘Die,? Parrish scored for the Wolves with 5:16 remaining, with low shot to the far post as he slid to the ground. Parrish’s goal, his 14th of the season, galvanized the Clarkston offense as they valiantly sought to tie the game.
Clarkston soccer advanced to the second round of districts on Oct. 25 in convincing fashion, beating Waterford Mott 5-0.
?(The win) was a best case scenario for us. We scored early and I was able to sit the starters,? Whitcomb said.
Parrish scored three first-half goals for Clarkston. Kupe assisted on Parrish’s first two goals and put the Wolves up 4-0 with a goal of his own in the second half. Junior Rob Zaelinski assisted on Kupe’s goal. Finishing out the scoring for Clarkston was senior Mike Nelson, assisted by freshman Brandon Verlinden.
Senior goalkeeper Barak Thomas recorded the shutout win and was largely untested against Mott.
Verlinden and Zaelinski were moved up to the varsity team from JV for districts.
‘It is good to have those kids experience this level,? said Whitcomb.
The Wolves finish 6-20-1 overall.