BLOOMFIELD HILLS — After falling a single goal short of the program’s first-ever state title a year ago, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood’s campaign to improve upon its runner-up status is underway this fall.
Still in the season’s infancy stage, the Cranes improved their record to 2-0 with a victory over visiting Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 4-2, on Monday.
Senior Cooper Cormier turned in a hat trick performance to lead the Cranbrook attack, which was kickstarted by two goals within the first five minutes of the game.
Burdened by its poor start, Notre Dame Prep worked tirelessly to redeem its early efforts. The Fighting Irish drew within one goal on two occasions and threatened to knot the score with an improved second half.
“They caught us off guard a bit at the beginning of the game. I’m proud of our guys that came off the bench. After the slow start, it was an even game,” first-year Notre Dame Prep coach Rob Suffredini said.
“We needed a little bit more awareness of (Cranbrook’s) space and to be more responsible for tightening our marks. I thought we were reacting too much and not anticipating where they would pass the ball early on.
Cranes coach Chad O’Kulich said the team’s strong start — which included the first of Cormier’s three goals and another by senior Ken Kernen — was nice to see, but praised his team’s ability to close out the match even more.
“The great thing about the Catholic League is that the competition is outstanding,” O’Kulich said. “Notre Dame Prep is a well-coached team and Rob is doing well with these boys. I think that we grew today as a team from start to finish.
“Notre Dame Prep made that push to make it 3-2 and for us to be able to finish toward the end of that game, it was positive that we didn’t sit back as they were pressuring.”
Notre Dame Prep got on the board with 7:29 remaining in the first half with a penalty kick goal by senior Peter Miklas.
The Cranes responded before halftime, however, when a perfectly timed pass by Cullen Irvine from the sideline connected with Cormier’s foot to punch the ball past the oncoming goalkeeper for a 3-1 lead.
Notre Dame Prep cut its deficit to one goal again midway through the second half, but couldn’t record an equalizer before Cormier notched an insurance goal with just 2:58 to play.
The Fighting Irish (2-3-1) will return to action Wednesday against Macomb Lutheran North, while the Cranes will face Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, one of just two teams to beat Cranbrook in 2014, on Thursday.
MI Prep Zone, August 31, 2015