Photos/Videos: Kathy Leister & Geanine Jamison
PHILADELPHIA – Much similar to the Philadelphia Catholic League girls championship, the boys final also boasts two familiar opponents.
Tomorrow afternoon at Cardinal O’Hara High School, top-seeded La Salle College High School will face off against PCL rival St. Joseph’s Prep with the coveted PCL plaque on the line.
La Salle defeated No. 4 seed Devon Prep (8-3 PCL) 18-2 in yesterday’s semifinal match-up. PJ Oppenheimer led La Salle with three goals, while Andrew Kelly, Jack Vandergrift, Jack Pilling, Charlie Huntley and Billy Ross each added two goals. Goalkeeper Matt Nelson also made three saves in the victory.
Two-seeded St. Joseph’s Prep hosted No. 3 seed Lansdale Catholic at Penn Park. With the city skyline gracing the background, the Hawks soared to a 15-7 victory.
La Salle ended its regular season compiling an unblemished 11-0 league record. The Explorers have outscored their PCL opponents 189-19 this season, allowing fewer than four goals per game.
St. Joseph’s Prep’s (10-1) also exudes an explosive offense that notched 137 league goals this season, but their defense also poses issues to its opponents. Besides the 12-2 loss to La Salle on April 12, St. Joseph’s Prep has not allowed another Catholic League opponent to score more than five goals during the regular season.
St. Joseph's Prep vs. Lansdale Catholic - PCL Semifinal Highlights by Kathy Leister
La Salle vs. Devon Prep - PCL Semifinal Highlights by Geanine Jamison
Last year marked the Explorers’ 24th PCL title in 28 years. This year La Salle is vying for its sixth consecutive league championship, with only the Prep’s staunch defense and high-powered offense standing in its way.
Game time: 4:00 p.m.
