By: Courtney Murphy
PHILADELPHIA, PA- It was a battle between two unbeaten lacrosse teams in the Philadelphia Catholic League on Thursday, April 25 as the Hawks of St. Joseph’s Prep hosted the La Salle College High School Explorers in an intense rivalry game. The Explorers swept the Hawks, 10-1, keeping their name undefeated in the PCL.
This game not only put La Salle even closer to garnering another championship but, was a landmark win for longtime coach William Leahy. Thursday’s game marked Leahy’s 500th win as head coach of the Explorers making this win extra special for the entire team.
La Salle scored two minutes into the first quarter, senior attacer Zachary Coar, drove it in to get the first goal of the game. Seconds later senior midfielder Shane Osborne tallied La Salle’s second goal. St Joe’s Prep goalkeeper Tommy McHugh had three saves as La Salle ended the quarter with a 2-0 lead.
La Salle took control of the second quarter scoring four goals. Osborne scored three of those four goals while Coar netted his second goal of the game with 2:33 left in the half. La Salle continued to hold the lead ending the half 6-0.
The Hawks' defense held strong, not allowing a La Salle a goal until halfway into the third quarter. That was until La Salle junior Kyle Cullen hit the back of the net with 6:53 remaining in the quarter. La Salle continued to hold a dominant 9-0 lead.
The fourth quarter netted one more goal for La Salle by junior Daniel Mallee with 8:27 left in regulation. The Hawks got their first and only goal of the contest by sophomore David Shew with 11 seconds left on the clock ending the game with a final score of 10-1.
La Salle senior captain, Kurt Wessner, commented about this big win for the whole lacrosse organization.
“I think this game the guys came all riled up because it’s a big rivalry game, it’s something we needed. It’s our coaches 500th win and that’s something we definitely needed to get him. It was something really good to play for," said Wessner.
La Salle senior captain Kurt Wessner talks about remaining undefeated, team improvements & getting coach Leahy his 500th win:
SJP vs. La Salle Game Highlights:
For Leahy, reaching that milestone victory against a league rival was especially noteworthy. Leahy began the program 28 years ago, during which time his team has won 23 Catholic League titles and four state championships.
Leahy remains modest in his accomplishments and lauds those around him for the program’s successes.
“The program’s success over the last 28 years has come from a number of attributes,” said Leahy, who also serves as the school’s guidance counselor. “One would be the dedication and commitment of the young men-the players, and their supportive parents. Second would be the administration here at La Salle, Mr. Parisi all the way through the different presidents and principals who have been very supportive of me and the La Salle lacrosse program and thirdly would be exceptional assistant coaches, all who have been really awesome men and role models. So, you put it all together, lots of good wins and some painful losses and you wind up with a pretty neat program.”
La Salle head coach William Leahy answers the question: As a coach with such talented players year-after-year, how do you ensure that you are using their talents to their utmost potential? (Interview by senior Liam Turnbach - La Salle HS).
La Salle is currently 9-0 in league play. They have two PCL games remaining before playoffs begin. The Explorers will host Roman Catholic on Wednesday, May 1 and Archbishop Carroll on Thursday, May 2. Game time for both matches are 3:45 p.m.