The Wolves succeeded in making the statement they intended to make as they won the first round of MHSAA Regionals last Thursday against Romeo.
They dominated the entire game to win 16-3 and ended the season for the Bulldogs.
“We talked to the guys about starting the right way and making a statement,” said Clarkston Boys Varsity Lacrosse Coach Brian Kaminskas. “So the guys we see down the road know we are a force and we are serious about playing and winning.”
The Wolves opened the scoring when Scott Allen scooped up the ball in Clarkston’s turf and passed it to Robert Hall.
Hall looked for a way past Romeo then passed the ball to Connor Ward. Ward finished the play putting the ball into the bottom of the net.
Connor Dziewit was the next to strike and the Wolves kept putting more points on the board ending the first quarter, 7-0.
“We missed six of our first seven shots,” Kaminskas added about the quarter. “As a coach makes you worry a little bit and wonder what is going on, but we were able to dominate offensively. The group of guys we have we expect that if we played Romeo or Brother Rice. They certainly lived up to expectations once they got their legs under them.”
Ward opened the second quarter with a goal. Romeo fought back scoring their first goal of the game.
The distance in the score only continued to grow as Jordan Moore, Evan Kneisel and Ward added three more goals to the board.
Ward led the team with four goals. Dziewit, Hall and Keaton Mitchell had one goal each.
“Sean Johnson played a very good game,” Kaminskas added about the middie. “He is not a guy who gets a lot of time. He came off the bench and played very well.”
The boys head to the semifinals as they take on Troy Athens on Wednesday.
They played Troy Athens earlier in the season and Kaminskas added the team has grown since then especially with their offense.
“Their offense has sparked,” he said. “It will be interesting and fun. We have had one of the top defenses in the state for the last couple of years. I think we will be able to give them a game.”
Kaminskas noted the Redhawks are also stronger than they were at the beginning of the season but so are the Wolves.
“We are starting to peak at the right time,” he said. “It will be a good game. I think the end result will be something we are looking for.”
The regional playoffs continue on Wednesday at Troy Athens with the semifinals. Macomb L’Anse Cruese North plays Holt at 6 p.m. Clarkston follows against Athens, 8 p.m.
Kaminskas predicted Holt winning the game because of caliber of the team and the Wolves will be ready if they see them in the final round.
“They run a similar offense to ours,” he said. “They are very dynamic. They push their transition. They are a good team. They have really good athletes and their coach has been with the program for nine years. It is not our traditional Brother Rice game but it is still going to be a pretty tight hard fought one.”
The winners will move on to the regional finals on Friday at 7 p.m., Troy Athens High School, 4333 John R Road in Troy. Check updates on Twitter – @CNewsWRSports.