Photos: Donna Eckert & Zack Beavers

By: John Knebels

PHILADELPHIA – One seed or eight seed . . . Gaudy statistics or subpar numbers . . . Scorching hot or ice cold . . . Heavily favored or decided underdog.

Doesn’t matter.

Philadelphia Catholic League boys’ playoff soccer routinely embodies the adage “That’s why you play the game.” Regardless of what makes sense on paper, every team realizes that a few weird bounces, a questionable official’s call, a suddenly acrobatic goaltender, or a few clanked goalposts often results in a shocking upset – or darn close to one.

Still, since the beginning of the regular season back on September 8, every program’s primary goal has been to put itself in position to ultimately capture a PCL championship.

That time has arrived.

On Friday, quarterfinal playoffs begin. Astute students of the PCL can pinpoint several examples of how logic has often taken a backseat to thrilling dramatics. In fact, four of the past five seasons have offered full-fledged proof of the fickle nature of PCL soccer.

Last year, Archbishop Ryan entered as a five seed with a 6-3-2 record. The Raiders then upset four-seed Roman Catholic, three-seed La Salle, and top-seed Father Judge for the title, allowing only one goal in the three contests. Earlier in the quarterfinals, following a PCL trend involving snake-bitten two-seeds, Archbishop Wood had lost, 1-0, to seven-seed Conwell-Egan while eight-seed St. Joseph’s Prep had taken top-seed Father Judge to penalty kicks after a scoreless two overtimes. The Crusaders survived by outscoring the proud-but-devastated Hawks, 5-4.

In 2021, two-seed Archbishop Wood lost to seven-seed Lansdale Catholic, 3-2, in overtime, after having easily defeated the Crusaders, 4-1, three weeks earlier. In 2019, two-seed Father Judge lost to seven-seed Archbishop Ryan, 1-0, in the quarters. In 2017, two-seed Roman Catholic entered the postseason an almost flawless 10-1, yet needed penalty kicks to dispatch seven-seed Lansdale Catholic, who had squeaked into the dance with an unimpressive eighth place (but seven seed) record of 3-5-3.    

So when higher-seed coaches claim they’re not looking past an opponent, they’re not just giving coach-speak. And when lower-seed coaches remind players they have the ability to stun the soccer world, they’re not whispering sweet nothings.

Which leads us to a much-anticipated Friday. 

Records: Father Judge 11-0; SJ Prep 3-7-1

Where and When: 3:15 at Ramp Playground

Crusader Chat: “What you did during the season is over,” Judge coach John Dunlop said. “It is always important to play your best now. If not, you’ll be sitting on the sidelines watching. My guys know the history. It’s bragging rights for everyone. We’ve been successful with everyone pitching in playing their roles.”

Records: La Salle 9-2; Roman Catholic 5-5-1

Where and When: 3:15 at La Salle High School

Regular Season: La Salle edged visiting Roman, 2-1, on October 10.    

“If players at all levels play well, then we will have a shot to win every time we play. Hopefully, if guys buy into this mentality, then every match matters, and these playoff matches will be the next chance to play well as a group.

“We are fortunate to have a lot of guys who know the history of how tight each match has been over the last several years. They know that every team that is still playing at this time of the year is fully capable of winning the whole thing. Attention to detail and playing at a high tempo in the game plan needs to be the top priority of each player to achieve the ultimate goal.”

Roman Catholic Notes: Cahillites lost three of their last five, each by one goal . . . Amassed a 1-5-1 mark and was outscored 13-6 against playoff teams . . . Lost two games in overtime . . . Only team from the PCL’s old Southern Division to have snared two crowns, the last coming in 2015, followed by four straight defeats in the PCL final, the last two via penalty kicks . . . Key Win: After starting season 2-2-1, stopped host Archbishop Wood, 1-0, on September 26.

"These kids all know each other from the neighborhood or club ball. There are no secrets in the Catholic League. Everyone knows who played who tight, what was the deciding factor in a match, you name it. It’s why winning the hubcap is so darn hard.”

Records: Archbishop Ryan 9-2; Lansdale Catholic 6-4-1

Where and When: 7:00 at Archbishop Ryan High School

Regular Season: Ryan won a 3-0 decision at LC on October 6. 

Raider Chat: “For us, we know the feeling of upsetting teams,” Ryan coach Ryan Haney said. “This year's opening test will be a new one, one we are very excited for. Being at home and having the opportunity is exciting. It will be a tough week, and hopefully, the boys will play their best on Friday.”

Lansdale Catholic Notes: This marks the fourth occasion in last seven seasons of placing as a sixth-seed . . . Won three of their last four games . . . Went 3-4 against playoff teams and was outscored by 13-6 . . . Key Win: A convincing 3-0 home win over Roman Catholic on September 16. 

"It’s nice to know that recent history proves that anything can happen, but that can’t be what we focus on. Ryan is an outstanding team and we have to worry about what’s in front of us first and foremost, not what’s happened in the past.” 

Records: Archbishop Wood 7-4; Conwell-Egan 7-4

Where and When: 3:00 at Munro Park, Warminster  

Regular Season: Wood defeated visiting C-E, 1-0 on October 8.

Conwell-Egan Notes: After starting 0-2, Eagles completed a 7-2 run, allowing only four goals in the process . . . Outscored 11-7 by playoff teams while winning three of seven . . . Went 2-1 in extra sessions . . . Key Win: In ultra-challenging two-game stretch against the teams that ultimately finished one-two in the standings, Eagles lost, 2-1, in double overtime at Father Judge on September 12 – but then bounced back with 2-1 double overtime win over visiting La Salle on September 16.

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