By Sue Teggart
C & G Sports Writer

When the final whistle sounded in the district round of the boys state soccer tournament, it was Auburn Hills Oakland Christian’s and Lake Orion High’s teams that walked away with championship hardware.

Lancers soldier on
Auburn Hills Oakland Christian won its second straight district championship after topping Marine City Cardinal Mooney 8-0 in an Oct. 17 Division 4 title game.

Senior captain and four-year varsity veteran Jacob Stanko, who has 33 goals for season even though he has missed some time with an injury, added his name to the state record book when he became only the 16th player in history to net seven goals in a game.

Teammate Mitchell Dale added a goal and two assists.

“Jacob’s been hurt all year and played limited time in the game, but he’s a natural goal scorer,” Oakland Christian coach Dick Harding said of his ace striker. “He’s the best player on the field, generally. Every time he got the ball, he just about put it in the net.”

Last season, the Lancers (20-3) were state runners-up in D-4. Harding said winning the district title is the first step in getting back to the main event.

“It is a progression on the season, and it’s another thing that we have to do to get where we ultimately want to go,” Harding said of the district title. “Our expectations last year for the state finals were that we’d like to get there. This year, we know we want to get there, so we’re more focused.

“We want to avenge the loss from last year, and we know it gets a lot tougher from here.”

Lake Orion turns tables on Clarkston
It took 80 minutes and double overtime for Lake Orion High to make a difference in the game against Clarkston High in the Division 1 district final Oct. 18.

Last season, Lake Orion dropped its district title matchup against archrival Clarkston 4-3.
This year, the Dragons (15-6) turned the tables on their foes, topping Clarkston 2-1. Lake Orion’s last district title came in 2006.

“The boys worked very hard,” said Lake Orion head coach Matt Paukovits, who is in his first year heading the Dragons’ program. “They’ve had a good year; they’ve met and exceeded all expectations. I’m very pleased with their effort and their energy.

“They’ve really worked hard since I’ve started with them, and I think it’s a big accomplishment for them.

Paukovits said the victory demonstrated how far the program has come in a short period of time.

“I think it speaks volumes about their effort and energy, and their commitment to playing,” Paukovits said. “Last year, they only won seven games. This year, they’re at 15 wins. So that speaks volumes in itself.”

Junior forward Reed Losee netted the Dragons’ first goal in the first half, and sophomore forward Blake Skamiera ended the game with a header.

You can reach Sports Writer Sue Teggart at steggart@candgnews.com or at (586) 279-1107.