In the second overtime, junior Abu Cherif scored his second goal of the game to lift Father Judge past Archbishop Ryan, 2-1. After scoring on a header 15 minutes into the game, Cherif ended the tense affair when junior classmate Kevin Castro forced a turnover, and after splitting two defenders, Cherif buried a low show into the short corner.

Senior Jimmy Shelton (first half) and junior Jimmy Shensky (second half and overtime) shared goaltending duties.  

“Both goals were things we focus on during trainings,” said Cherif. “Coach (John Dunlop) always tell us to put the ball in a dangerous place and make sure we have runners, and that’s what we did for the first goal. The second goal was the same thing. We applied pressure as a team, and when we win the ball, we go straight to the goal.”

The only more important goal of Cherif’s career came in a victory over Lansdale Catholic in last year’s PCL semifinal, when his tally with eight minutes left in regulation helped capture a 1-0 win that sent Father Judge to the league final.

This one, however, was more dramatic.

“Scoring an overtime goal is probably one of the greatest feelings, especially that goal because we didn’t play our best game,” said Cherif. “This year is not just any year. It is a statement year for us. Everyone on the team is working for the same outcome after the loss in the championship.”

“Ramp Field was crowded,” said Dunlop. ”The play was back and forth throughout the second, with both keepers making some quality saves. Fans of the six teams got to see some good quality soccer. It was a playoff atmosphere.”   

Archbishop Ryan’s only goal was scored by senior Jack Dreibelbis with 36 seconds left in the first half.

Later, Raiders coach Ryan Haney issued a challenge to his troops.

“This game will define how this season,” said Haney. “We will see how we respond.”

On Friday, Ryan will visit undefeated Roman Catholic. Before blanking Bonner-Prendergast on Tuesday, the Cahillites turned in a sensational effort against St. Joseph’s Prep in the Showcase, defeating the Hawks, 3-1.

“It felt like a playoff game,” said Roman senior Ben Macleod. “We treat every game like it’s the playoffs. But when we play teams like Prep, you have to bring your A-game.

“We felt good about our offense on Saturday, especially during the first half. We haven’t been fully healthy and honestly; we still aren’t. But as we get pieces back in play, we can throw different looks out on the field, and I think for the first time this year it came together on Saturday.”

The Prep was able to rebound with a 2-0 win over Cardinal O’Hara. Freshman Tim Comey and sophomore Sayer McLaughlin scored for the Hawks. Senior goalies Coleman Monahan and Luca Ermilio both stood tall in the cage.

“Nice win,” said Prep coach Joe Coyle. “It’s great to see all 20 players contributing. We have a nice balance of players through all four grades and we will have to rely on all 20 to be successful this season.”

“I’m thrilled the way the season has started for us,” said Petruzzelli, who also scored twice in Wood’s district final win last year. “It was great to play such a key role against LC, who always gives us a tough game.”

Against visiting Father Judge, senior Chris Branchide assisted Petruzzelli for the game’s only goal with 25 minutes left in regulation while the defense of junior Albert Funk, senior Guiseppe Propato, junior Nick Striano, and senior Cole Costello aided junior goalie Julian Naumenko’s third straight shutout.

Lansdale Catholic dropped a 2-0 decision to Archbishop Wood on Saturday. But as they so often do, the resilient Crusaders regained their footing by edging Conwell-Egan, one of their Class 2A opponents, in two overtimes, 3-2, on junior Gianluca D’Alterio’s second goal of the game. He also assisted on another.

Crusaders coach Casey Farrell lauded junior goalie Danny Shelak, who only allowed two penalty kicks.

“He controlled the box for us all game long,” said Farrell. “The two PKs were well struck and would have been extremely difficult for any keeper to save. He dominated the air and kept us in the game as we fought back.

“The boys are feeling confident,” said C-E coach Mike Rigney. “We got back to playing our team game (against Bonner-Prendergast) and we had great results. Our captains – senior Dillon Farrell and junior Noah Kiesewetter – led the boys after a disappointing result earlier in the week against Roman. We have been without two key starting players to begin this year’s season.”

Kiesewetter agreed with his coach.

“It was very important to pick up that win against Bonner,” said Kiesewetter. “It gave us confidence that we need and showed our team that our training is paying off and we can compete with any team in the PCL. I have big expectations for this year and us going far.”

La Salle raised its record to 4-0 with convincing wins over Archbishop Carroll and Devon Prep. Even when favored in a match, the defending champions do not change their start-to-finish approach. 

“Coach McCaff (Tom McCaffery) always says to always respect the other team,” said junior goalie Ryan Kalup. “It is why I believe we started off hot and got the three points. We also had a lot of play this week, so that really is helping us prepare for some of the games later in the season.”

In a balanced attack against Carroll, goals were scored by senior Seth Michalak, sophomore Joey Kmetz, sophomore Mark Mazzoni, senior Ben Stevens, junior Dom Lupinacci, and freshman Shea Crawford.

Among those who did not find the net but proved instrumental in the win was CJ Massella. The junior was asked to assess the difference in intensity when playing in a tight contest as opposed to one firmly in hand.

“Obviously, there is more intensity in overtime compared to games that aren’t as close,” said Massella. “As a team, we are just trying to find consistency in our play all the time, no matter who we play.”

No regular season game was more intense than La Salle’s opener, when Massella scored his first-ever overtime game winner to lift the Explorers past Archbishop Wood, 2-1.

Arguably the PCL’s most hungry squad is Cardinal O’Hara, which is still looking for its first league win despite improved play. Before dropping a 2-0 decision to St. Joseph’s Prep on Tuesday, the Lions were edged by Devon Prep, 3-2, in the Showcase. Junior Ziddy Stewart scored both O’Hara goals.

“In my opinion, I think we were the better team,” said O’Hara senior Luca Galieti. “We were able to create more opportunities. Unfortunately, we had some trouble getting shots off, and linking up with one another in the final third. With that being said, we still managed to get two goals.

“On the defensive side of the ball, we also played well. We were able to win the ball in the midfield as well as shut down almost all of their balls in behind. Overall they weren’t able to create many opportunities, but they definitely capitalized on ones they had.”