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BOYS SOCCER: Archbishop Ryan’s PCL Championship One for the Ages

By John Knebels Photos: Donna Eckert & David Picariello, 11/04/22, 5:30PM EDT

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Archbishop Ryan - 2022 PCL Boys Soccer Champions - PSD Photo by Donna Eckert

Photos/Videos: John Knebels, Donna Eckert & FJHS Jr. Reporter David Picariello

By: John Knebels

PHILADELPHIA – Other than the players and coaches, it’s doubtful anyone would have complained if they had decided to simply end the game and call it a tie.

Well, not really. But that’s sometimes how it feels when two thoroughbreds run each furlong neck and neck. Since no co-champs are allowed, one team is eventually going to release a seismographic yawp while the other struggles to reach the parking lot.

In one of the most entertaining contests in recent memory, Archbishop Ryan defeated Father Judge in the Philadelphia Catholic League final on October 29 at Northeast High School. Suffice to say that those in attendance lost a few cuticles during the nail-biting battle, which required penalty kicks after the spirited neighborhood rivals finished regulation in a 1-1 deadlock.

It was a fitting end to an autumn for the ages, during which eight regular-season games ended in double overtime, 22 were decided by one goal, three finished scoreless, and an eighth-seed, St. Joseph’s Prep, pushed top-seed Father Judge to penalty kicks before succumbing in the playoff quarterfinals.

“It’s a dream come true,” said Ryan goalie Joey Phillips. “As soon as I came to this school, I wanted to win a plaque. That was my goal.”

2022 PCL Boys Soccer Championship Highlights & PK's - Ryan vs. Judge - PSD Video by John KNebels & DOnna Eckert

No one could argue that Ryan would still be searching for its first PCL title since 2003 if it had not been for a herculean effort by Phillips.

Arguably the league’s best goaltender over the past two seasons, Phillips stopped several high-leverage attempts during regulation and a couple more in two 15-minute, sudden-death overtime periods.

In shootouts, where foiling even one of the opponents’ five shots is considered above average, Phillips thwarted each of Father Judge’s first two tries. Not to be overshadowed, Judge junior goalie Jimmy Shensky countered with two saves of his own. After both teams succeeded on their fifth shot, a penalty-kick overtime commenced.

For the Raiders, up stepped Phillips, who calmly switched his mentality from protector to aggressor and deposited his shot into the cage. On Judge’s final attempt, Phillips made the biggest save of his career.

Joey Phillips starred throughout Archbishop Ryan's PCL Championship run - PSD video by John Knebels

Impromptu interview with proud father David Phillips, father of Ryan star goalie Joey Phillips

No one could argue that Ryan would still be searching for its first PCL title since 2003 if it had not been for a herculean effort by Phillips.

Arguably the league’s best goaltender over the past two seasons, Phillips stopped several high-leverage attempts during regulation and a couple more in two 15-minute, sudden-death overtime periods.

In shootouts, where foiling even one of the opponents’ five shots is considered above average, Phillips thwarted each of Father Judge’s first two tries. Not to be overshadowed, Judge junior goalie Jimmy Shensky countered with two saves of his own. After both teams succeeded on their fifth shot, a penalty-kick overtime commenced.

For the Raiders, up stepped Phillips, who calmly switched his mentality from protector to aggressor and deposited his shot into the cage. On Judge’s final attempt, Phillips made the biggest save of his career.

An Ecstatic Archbishop Ryan coach, Ryan Haney - Video by John Knebels

Roy Hevener's goal put Ryan into overtime - PSD Video by john Knebels

Owen Stock frustrated his opponent all game - Video by John Knebels

By defeating Father Judge in this year’s final after losing to the Crusaders there in 2009 and 2007, the Raiders have now defeated six different PCL teams in the marquee match – St. Joseph’s Prep five times, La Salle thrice, Msgr. Bonner (now Bonner-Prendergast) twice, and once each versus North Catholic, Archbishop Carroll, and now Judge.

Archbishop Ryan coach Ryan Haney thus adds a tier to his amazing career in red and black. The Ryan graduate has now snared championships as his alma mater’s boys’ coach, girls’ coach (six different seasons), and student, when he scored an overtime goal in a 1-0 win over La Salle in 1995 and tallied again in a 3-1 win over La Salle in 1996.

“So many emotions,” said Haney. “Do we have enough legs? Are we going to be able to fight through this? Judge has always been a one-goal game. The biggest trophy came down to shootouts.”

Haney paused.

“And the best player made the best plays,” said Haney, referring to Phillips. “Put it in the leader’s hands – like having another coach on the field.

“He’s an unbelievable kid. From day one when I first met him, ’til now this moment, it’s been a four-year journey for these seniors. And to see Joey . . .”

Junior Owen Stock, a mainstay member of the backline that also consists of junior Frank Monaco, sophomore Shawn Dixon, and senior Sean Scalen, authored numerous key defensive plays. 

“I tried my best to just put it on my heart,” said Stock. “No matter what, I can’t be scared. In the regular season we didn’t have the season that we wanted, but in the postseason, we came alive. It’s the best feeling in the world.

“They gave us a really good game. They always do. First time we have beaten Judge since I’ve been here. And Joey is like having a rock behind me. I know that if I make a mistake, he has my back no matter what.”

Senior Roy Hevener, who scored Ryan’s goal with 27:18 left in the second half, agreed.

“I was in disbelief,” said Hevener, who also scored in Ryan’s 2-0 semifinal win over two-time defending champion La Salle. “I knew he had it in him. I have full faith in my goalie. Joey’s always been great.”

But in the championship, never greater.

(Contact John Knebels at jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)