Notre Dame Prep holds off battle-tested Orchard Lake St. Mary's
PONTIAC – Records can be misleading.
Following an 8-5 loss to Pontiac Notre Dame Prep on Thursday night, the Orchard Lake St. Mary’s boys lacrosse team stands 4-10 on the season.
But, at a closer look, it is easy to see how they have 10 losses when you look at the Eaglets schedule. First-year coach Mike Walker wanted his team to face the best this year, and they have. Brother Rice, Novi Detroit Catholic Central, Cranbrook-Kingswood, Forest Hills Central, Troy and more have all handed the Eaglets a loss this season, but Walker is hoping that pays off when the playoffs begin.
“We have to play comparable teams in the Catholic League and when I came in, I felt like we had to make sure that these kids play at a high level and see where they stand,” Walker said. “It’s almost like the (Tom) Izzo theory of playing the best teams out there and see where we stand. I am really excited to see how it builds us up for the postseason and hopefully we can make a run.”
Notre Dame Prep improves to 9-3 on the season with a win and coach Ron Hebert admitted after the game, that Thursday was a good win for his team over the improving Eaglets.
“This was not an easy game. (Orchard Lake) has some tough kids,” Hebert said. “Walker is a great coach. I coached him in college and he has done a great job with those kids. They are a real tough team to beat and only getting better.”
Orchard Lake held a 3-1 lead on the Irish early in the second period before the Irish would score the final three goals in the half to take a 4-3 lead that it wouldn’t relinquish.
In the second half, the Irish were able to control possession and limit the Eaglets’ chances on offense. That led to a 4-2 second half for Notre Dame Prep and a comfortable victory.
“They play the possession game and they won that (Thursday),” Walker said of Notre Dame Prep. “They took advantage of our mistakes. We weren’t disciplined when we had our chances and that allowed them to control the play.”
Ryan Genord led Notre Dame Prep, as he had five goals. Mitchell Woodrich, Ryan MacIntyre and Shawn Potwardowski also scored goals for the Irish, as they were able to post eight goals on an all-state goalie in OLSM’s Ben Barrick.
“That is an all-state goalie we faced and I am happy with being able to get some nice goals on him,” Hebert said. “We are still working on things and we need to definitely get better in some areas, but we did some good things (Thursday).”
The Eaglets were led by Hunter MacDonald, who had four of the team’s five goals. Nathan Fagnani added the other score for Orchard Lake St. Mary’s.
These two could meet up again soon as part of the Catholic League Tournament. The two teams are also part of the same region in the playoffs.
Walker knew he had some work ahead of him when he started his first season, but putting his team in this tough schedule is the way he thinks he can build the Eaglets into a top program in the state.
“I felt like we had to change the culture when I came in. We brought in a whole new staff and you just have to hope that (the team) embraces me and what I am bringing to the program,” Walker said. “When you play good teams like this, it can only make you better.” (MLive.com, April 30, 2015)