The last home game was eventful for the kickers on Oct. 1 – they celebrated 30 years of Clarkston soccer, it was the first alumni night, and they had a huge win over a league foe as they shut out Stoney Creek 2-0.
“Stoney Creek has had our number for a number of years,” said Clarkston Boys Varsity Soccer Coach Curtis Payment. “It is added motivation but we respect their program.”
The Wolves went into the second half of the game scoreless after putting two shots on the net in the first half.
Within the nine minutes of the last half senior Alex Trim sunk a shot into the center of the net off an assist from senior Zach McCallum.
The boys continued the pressure on the Cougars and their net but they didn’t score against until 4:29 left in the game when Brad Schultz sealed the win. Trim assisted on the goal.
Junior goalie Grant Gotaas kept the boys going with key saves in the net.
“He was solid,” Payment said. “They didn’t sustain pressure in the final third. It was more sneaky attacks and that is when a goalie needs to stay focused. I really do believe he is one of the best goalies around.”
Payment added the extra boost came from it being alumni night and meeting previous players and coaches.
“We shook their hands at half time and there was a good energy and electricity felt,” he said. “It helps us. It is a cool tradition we are going to keep going.”
The boys opened the week with a 7-0 win over Davison. Senior Ryan Callahan led the team with three goals as Joey DeFinis, Adam Snider, Mitchell McCord and Ryan Kissel scored one goal each.
“We possessed really good,” said Payment. “It was a precursor to Stoney Creek because we really held the ball.”
The Wolves finish the regular season on Thursday as they head to Flushing before beginning playoffs.
“We are really solid defensively and in the back,” Payment added looking ahead. “That is the first piece in the playoffs. You can’t give up a goal. We must finish better and it is really predicated on movement. When we move off the ball we generate chances.”
The boys host Carman-Ainsworth in the first round of the MHSAA Districts on Monday at 6 p.m.