Clarkston trips up Birmingham United for first time
FIRE AWAY: Clarkston's Kevin Horton winds up this shot in Wednesday's first-ever win against Birmingham United. Staff Photo | Larry McKee, www.lmckeephotography.com
DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
BIRMINGHAM — It has been a season of many firsts for Clarkston’s boys lacrosse team.
A 12-1-0 start to the season.
A No. 5 ranking in the Division 1 polls by LaxPower.
A runner-up slot in the OAA Red Division lacrosse race locked up.
The Wolves added another first Wednesday evening at Birmingham Seaholm. For the first time in the 10-year history of Clarkston’s lacrosse program, the Wolves defeated Birmingham United, this time coming in the form of a 8-5 highly-anticipated victory at Maples Field.
“Can’t you tell?” smiled Clarkston coach Brian Kaminskas when asked if this was indeed the Wolves’ first over their league rival. “I think we had reason to celebrate this.
“This was really nice. We were focused on this game,” added Kaminskas. “We were up for it. We had to beat them some time.”
The Wolves finished 8-9-0 last season and well out of league contention a year ago. This season their only loss is to OAA Red Division champion Troy Athens.
Clarkston played like a team that wanted more than anything to defeat one of its long-time nemeses Wednesday. The Wolves built a 4-0 lead after the first quarter and never relinquished the advantage.
Kevin O’Grady had two goals and Jordan Kincaid and James Horton one apiece in the first-quarter barrage.
SEARCHING: Clarkston'sMAttGoebel loks for an open teammate during the Wolves' 8-5 victory over Birmingham Seaholm.Staff Photo | Larry McKee, www.lmckeephotography.com
Clarkston, which led 6-3 at the half, outshot Birmingham 32-21, with Birmingham holding a 17-14 edge with shots on frame. The Wolves also hit the goal post three times in the contest.
Still, Birmingham was never able to cut into the lead by any less than two goals.
“Last year we lost a couple of key guys to injury and there’s always the question in the back of everyone’s head: ‘If we had the next guy or we had everybody, would it been different last year?’” said Kaminskas. “This year we are healthy and I think that has a heckuva lot to do with us winning this year. The guys are confident, they’re playing well and they’re moving forward.”
Clarkston’s Matt Goebel made 12 saves, including five in the third quarter when Birmingham went on an offensive push on the Wolves’ cage. Goebel only gave up one goal in the third and one in the fourth to preserve the win.
Birmingham United (8-9-0, 3-3-0) closed the gap to 6-4 with 9:56 still to play in the third quarter on a goal by Blake MacGregor, but the hosts could get no closer. Clarkston’s Kincaid scored twice in the fourth period to help keep Birmingham at bay.
Kincaid finished the night with four goals. James Horton and O’Grady scored twice apiece, while O’Grady and Travis Craft each picked up three assists for Clarkston.
MacGregor scored twice, while Adam Susalla, Sean Erni and James Bertand also scored for Birmingham. Kevin Covey finished with six saves.
Birmingham, which lost over half of its state semifinalist team of a year ago to graduation, also has five players on the sideline with injuries.
“We’ve got four of our starters with major injuries,” said Birmingham coach Jeff Martin. “One guy (is out) with a torn MCL, we have two concussions, one guy with a fractured growth plate, hernia surgery — you name it. It’s gone and on and on.
“We have sophomores all over the place and we’ve pulled up JV kids. It’s been tough,” added Martin. “We’ve kind of been playing (in spurts).We have moments where we’re rocking and rolling and it’s fantastic. Some days we’ll lose it. It’s been a little bit of a roller coaster.”
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Category: Clarkston, High School, Prep Wraps
