Kickers left Lake Orion’s field in silence on Saturday afternoon.
They had just lost the district title to the Dragons in a double overtime, 2-1.
‘It’s always a tough game against Lake Orion,? said Adam Bican, Clarkston Boys Varsity Soccer Coach.
‘We just got the better of them last year and in the regular season. We had higher aspirations and goals beyond this game. It didn’t happen. We put ourselves in this position by not finishing opportunities. But it’s their turn. They won. They finished their opportunities. We are pulling for them.?
The two teams advanced to the district finals after shutting out both of their competitors on Wednesday night. Clarkston beat Lakeland with four goals and Lake Orion scored five goals against Waterford Mott.
Reed Losee put the Dragons on the scoreboard first against the Wolves.
Kevin Pinkos tied the score with a free kick before the game went into half-time.
The Wolves began the second half with a quick shot on goal, and each team fought to break the tie.
When regulated time ended, the kickers went into their first sudden death overtime period, but the score remained locked.
Five minutes into second sudden death overtime, the Dragon’s Weston Wittry took his free kick and Blake Skamiera positioned himself in front of the net.
Skamiera headed it into the goal and beyond Scott Messer’s reach.
Messer had nine saves for the game and the boys made 17 shots on goal.
‘It was a good game,? said Bican. ‘The whole squad played extremely well. Scott Messer played exceptionally well today. I thought Kevin Pinkos played well.?
Losing the game ended the season for the team.
‘I am very proud of the season, the boys, the team. How hard they worked to get to where they were at. We didn’t think we would exit this early,? said Bican. ‘The boys that will be here next year can definitely take something from this and see how much the seniors care.
‘The whole senior class ? I can’t say enough. What they have done for Clarkston soccer has been unbelievable. Their hard work has paid off. They took the younger guys under their wing. Clarkston soccer is going to be okay.?
During the Oct. 15 game against Lakeland, Clarkston scored their four goals in the last half of the game.
Craig Miller scored two goals. Travis Stone and Jarrett Kersten added one each.
This season began with a history tidbit. It ends with a few more for the end of Clarkston Soccer’s 25th year.
The 1983 team ended with a record of 0-13-1.
This year’s Wolves finished first in the league, with an overall record, 14-6-2.
Ten seniors played on the 2008 team. Each played on the varsity team for three years, accumulating 30 years of Wolves Soccer from the Class of 2009.