Late goal gives Cranbrook first-ever CHSL championship
MADISON HEIGHTS » The Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood Cranes defeated Clarkston Everest Collegiate/Academy of the Sacred Heart, 2-1, in the Cardinal Championship game to claim their first-ever Catholic High School League title.
“It’s just this unexplainable, overwhelming sense of pride that you have for the team. There are no words that you can put it. It means so much, not just for each individual, not just for the team and for the coaches, knowing that we’ve put in the work, but for the school,” Rachael Claxton said.
Claxton scored with 1:26 to play, firing a shot in from the top of the box for the game winner.
“We started looking at the field and noticing how we were shifting to the right side a lot. We had a lot of great runs especially from our strikers Sara Tweed and Daelyn Short,” Claxton said. “So coach put me into the left side, so we wanted to utilize that empty space. Me and Daelyn had a couple of great passes between us. I looked for the shot, and it found the back of the net.”
CEC/ASH had taken the lead 1-0 early in the second half when Morgan McNally banged in a rebound just 4:26 after halftime to open the scoring.
But one goal was all CEC/ASH could muster offensively despite piling up 11 shots on goal and seven corner kicks; and eventually, Cranbrook simply wore them down with a deeper roster and more liberal substituting leaving the Cranes fresher at the end when they needed it most.
“I think the energy from everyone today and every game, it’s what pushed us this far. The energy from whether you’re on the field or you’re on the bench, it’s all the same; and it all goes towards winning and being a team. I’m so proud of them,” co-captain Sophia Reuss said.
Cranbrook’s attacking depth was especially key as they rotated several strikers and attacking midfielders, often moving people around to give the CEC/ASH defense different looks to deal with.
Led by the play of Erica Walker, the CEC/ ASH defense gave a good account of itself, as did goalie Lilah Chow, who turned in a solid performance in net. CEC/ASH also got strong games from Celeste James, Chloe Antakli, and Scarlett Hamilton.
“We try to play clean soccer. We try to possess the ball as best we can. We were missing Caroline Cross, who is one of our strongest fullbacks. We made some adjustments, but it just wasn’t our day today,” CEC/ASH head coach Richard Cross said. “Nothing against Cranbrook, they’re a tough team. So hats off to them.”
But as the game wore on, Cranbrook had too much energy and too many options in attack and were able to overcome a gutty defensive performance from CEC/ASH.
Cranbrook tied the score 1-1 with 20:28 to play on a rocket from Short, who ripped a ball into the top corner short side from about 20 yards out.
“I just knew I was one v one. I had to do
a move, cut out, and then take a shot. The entire halftime we were talking about just take as many shots as you can. One of them is going to go in eventually, so I did that, and it was successful,” Short said.
With the win, Cranbrook remains unbeaten at 13-0-1 and claims their first CHSL playoff title.
“This is the first time in the history that we have won the Catholic League championship playoff,” Cranes head coach Chad O’Kulich said. “We’re grateful to have the opportunity to compete in this, and we’re grateful that the victory came our way. I do want to say that Everest is an outstanding team. I think their head coach Rich Cross is an incredible human being. Him and I spoke before the game, and he’s just class. And his players play with class. His players play with sportsmanship, and that’s the way this game should be played.”
“It’s a great feeling because we’ve been working so hard all season, and this has been everybody on the team’s goal,” co-captain Sara Tweed said. “Seeing the girls on the team so happy and so excited to win and having a rematch from last season, it’s the best feeling ever.”
CEC/ASH finishes the regular season 9-6-1.
“Cranbrook is a class A team. We love playing them Chad is a phenomenal coach as well. We gave it our best. We won it (the CHSL Cardinal title) last year. They won it this year, so congratulations to them,” Cross said.
The teams now look forward to the district playoffs. Cranbrook has a bye in the first round and will face the winner of Livonia Clarenceville vs. Detroit Renaissance in the district semifinals.
CEC/ASH also has a bye in the first round of districts and will await the winner of Auburn Hills Oakland Christian and Brighton Charyl Stockwell Prep.
“We’re happy to be here and glad we made it this far. We gave it our best, and we’re looking forward to the rest of the season,” Cross said. “We’re just proud of everybody that played today.”