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4/20/2011- Lacrosse
St. Mary's stumbles down the stretch
ORCHARD LAKE – The lacrosse game between rivals Clarkston and Orchard Lake St. Mary’s was the tale of two halves.
The Eaglets (4-5) played a masterful first-half amassing a 9-3 halftime lead behind an offense that looked like it was finally humming and a defense that could not be penetrated, only to stumble out of the gate early in the third quarter as St. Mary’s saw their six-goal led evaporate in the final stages of the contest before succumbing to the Wolves (6-1) for the first time in recent memory.
“This was a game of two contrasting styles…from one team,” said St. Mary’s head coach Greg Normand. “We saw an extremely loose and happy bunch in the first half building a big lead and then we saw the unfortunate fragile and inexperienced squad fall apart and lose to the Oakland Activities Association foe in the last part of the game.”
Normand said he’s not happy with the team’s performance in the second half; but there were things to build upon.
“If you’re objective, you have to be happy with the way we played in the first half…I really think we saw what’s possible when everybody is on the same page,” Normand said. “But as much as we played a great first half…we stunk up the place in the second half. We played more to not lose than we played to win, but again, those situations that present themselves to an inexperienced team like ours will only make us stronger…I hope.”
Normand said the team went on spring vacation with a bitter taste in their mouths.
“I am hoping this loss settles in and doesn’t sit well with most of the team because there is something to learn here and that’s fairly easy to understand…we don’t have a dominate player…. we aren’t the best skilled team at the moment in St. Mary’s history, but we play
hard…but we have to play as a team as a unit…and its that simple,” Normand said.
Chris Brecht, who hails from Clarkston, said he was disappointed with his defense, but sees what’s possible when the squad comes back from spring vacation.
“This is one of those games that you either learn something from or you never get over it,” Brecht said. “I think we’re going to learn a lot from this setback.”
Chris Koski’s six points led St. Mary’s offense on three goals and three assists. Nick Parr had five points for the losers on a goal and four assists. Evan Considine added a goal and an assist for the Eaglets.
“I really think this was Chris’ best game to date,” Normand said. “But he has to take the time to enjoy playing this game. I think right now he’s playing a bit tight because he’s trying to carry a big offensive load and he has to get that out of his mind.”
Garrett Anderson, after being recalled from the Eaglet junior varsity, had three goals. Spencer McInnis continued to dominate the face-off percentages winning 79 percent of his face-offs. McInnis also contributed a goal and team-record 18 ground balls. P.J. Bonde, a freshman, scored his first goal as a member of the Eaglet varsity. Mike Koenigsknecht scored the other lone tally for the losers.
Defensively, the Eaglets were again led by P.J. Walters who netted six ground balls and Paul Graham, who picked up five more.
St. Mary’s continues to hurt itself with sloppy play as the Eaglets committed 27 unforced errors. The won the ground ball contest 39-29, but could not convert when score a goal was critical.
“The best thing I can say is that we just have to play smarter,” Normand said.
St. Mary’s plays host to Troy High School at Noon on Saturday, April 30
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