LA SALLE COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL 2025 PCL CHAMPIONS
BY: MIKE LIVINGSTON
(Photos by Ryan Nix for PSD)
GLENSIDE. PA — For 23-straight years things have gone about the same way in the Philadelphia Catholic League boys’ lacrosse championship.
Twenty out of those 23 times, it’s ended with La Salle College HS taking home the league title over St. Joseph’s Prep - with this year being no exception as the Explorers took down the Hawks 6-2, May 22nd on the campus of Arcadia University.
The title marked La Salle’s 26th lacrosse hubcap and ninth consecutive, dating back to 2015 - the last time St. Joe’s snuck one out.
All-in-all The Prep has claimed just three titles through its 23-consecutive championship meetings with La Salle, those coming in 2003, 2011, and 2015 respectively.
“We just have to treat them like a regular team,” said La Salle senior defenseman Kevin Ring (Monmouth University). “They’re a great team and a great program, who are definitely getting better each year. It’s become such a great rivalry, and we know it’s never going to be easy going against them.”
La Salle Senior Kevin Ring didn't take this win for granted. (video/ Mike Livingston)
Out of the last 23 championship games, 14 have been decided by five goals or less while The Prep gave La Salle one of its toughest battles of the year just earlier this season as well in a 12-9 loss which the Hawks led at multiple points.
The only point at which the Hawks led Wednesday was minutes into the game when a Trot Cush (York College) goal put them up 1-0 early.
Though La Salle took a bit to respond they’d eventually get things moving to lead 4-1 at the half.
“I think the first game was a lot of up-and-down,” said La Salle head coach Jack Forster. “This game was totally opposite which was kind of our plan to do, we slowed up their transition and kind of knew they were going to play zone, so I think we had the chance to slow the game down a little bit. And winning face-offs with (Christian) Peterman was huge.”
La Salle’s effort to slow down the game became a focal point of their play all night long, in rainy-cold conditions goals came few and far between for both sides as the defense tensed up and goalies Roman Ippoldo (LS) a Franklin & Marshall commit and Keegan Dunn (SJP) a Washington College commit had outstanding nights in net.
The Explorers effort to pace the game started with face-offs, of which they lost just one. Catholic League MVP Christian Peterman (Babson College) dominated the prep at the midline just as he did during the club’s first meeting earlier this season. Peterman’s effort kept the ball in La Salle’s possession for a majority of the contest.
“Roman had a great day in goal,” said King. “You know the defense stuck to our matchups and played really good one-on-one to guard the fort.”
La Salle in PCL Championship game vs. St. Joseph's Prep. (video/ Ryan Nix for PSD)
Even as Cush struck for his second of the day to make it 4-2, La Salle came right back to match it and some with two goals of their own.
The last few minutes of the game were mainly spent with La Salle circling the ball around the offensive zone and burning clock, something they did all the way through the final buzzer.
The Explorers not only claimed their ninth consecutive PCL title but also their ninth straight District XII title which secured them a spot in the AAA state playoffs.
“I think we’re really excited to be in the states,” said Forster. “It’s taken a lot of game planning and buying in from our guys with a couple injuries we’ve had coming into the game. So, I think the state playoffs are going to be a journey and the next chapter in our season.”
La Salle will now play Downingtown East on June 3rd in the first round of the state playoffs. They’ll look to advance in hopes to avenge last year’s 3A title game loss to Radnor by claiming their first state championship since 2019.
