Junior forward Mihir Pradhan wasn’t satisfied after scoring his first varsity goal for Sandburg.
Still riding the elation and confidence of that moment, Pradhan was poised to rise to the occasion, offering up a special encore once Wednesday night’s game went to penalty kicks.
“I feel like a lot of players in that situation, once you score in a game with so little time left, you shut it off, thinking you’ve already done your part,” he said. “I thought there’s still more left to do.
“Especially after a couple of players before had missed, I just knew I had to score.”
And score Pradhan did. He converted the key PK, powering the Eagles to a stunning 2-1 shootout victory over Bloom in first-round play of the Windy City Ram Classic at Andrew in Tinley Park.
Sandburg (1-0), which captured the shootout 6-5 in eight rounds, gained a boost in the 67th minute when Pradhan struck on a header assisted by sophomore midfielder Abed Hmeidan.
Bloom (0-1), the defending tournament champion, rallied with a dramatic goal by senior midfielder Leo Corona in the closing seconds of regulation. But then Pradhan grabbed the PK reins.
Explosive and quick with the ball, Pradhan was elevated to the varsity as a sophomore last year. He went through a rigorous offseason, developing his touch and poise around the box.
“I’m hoping this is my year,” he said. “It’s great to start the season with a goal. Last year, I didn’t really get that much of an opportunity offensively.
“I think my confidence my first couple of years was super low, but now this is basically a whole new team. I feel like with these guys, I can get it done.”
Sandburg coach Desi Vuillaume always noticed a gifted player who needed time to find his place.
”He’s very creative and fast on the ball,” Vuillaume said. “He’s grown more comfortable, and he’s very physical. He has all the qualities you want in a player. This was a great way for him to start.”
Pradhan finished the sharp scoring sequence off a cross from Hmeidan, who was making his varsity debut.
“I love the way Mihir uses his body,” Hmeidam said. “He shields players off the ball and makes the pass he needs to make or is always in the position he needs to be in.
“I’m glad to have him on my team as our striker.”
Encouraged by his father at a young age, Pradhan took up the game around the age of 4 or 5.
The game provided a natural creative outlet.
“My dad played some in Wisconsin where he grew up and then he coached me when I was little,” Pradhan said. “He started my passion. I just feel like I’ve always loved the game.
“I started watching it closely. At a very young age, I started training and putting everything into it.”
Pradhan also is rarely idle off the field. He takes five advanced placement classes at school and works two jobs in his miniscule spare time away from practice or training.
Reflective and serene off the field, he’s boisterous and loud when playing the game. His playing style is exuberant and spontaneous — always open to making something special happen.
“I look after my favorite professional players and how they play and I look to do as much as I can for the team,” he said. “I just like to help — whatever that is. If I score, that’s what I do.
“On that penalty kick, I knew I wasn’t going to miss. I already scored once. I wasn’t done yet. There was still more I had to do.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
