La Salle Defeats Reigning Champions St. Joseph's Prep 9-5, Regain PCL Title

SPRINGFIELD, PA- For the gentlemen of La Salle College High School, the 2016 lacrosse season was seen as one of redemption.

After suffering an upset loss in last year’s PCL championship, this season was a payback tour of sorts for the Explorers.

“We won our freshman and sophomore year, so it was awful knowing we lost last year. Our whole season was really focused on this game right here,” said La Salle senior Cody Mazurek.

After months of hard work and a season of difficult challenges, the Explorers (17-3) finally got their wish; a rematch with the reigning PCL champions St. Joseph’s Prep (12-6).

These two teams represented the PCL’s elite combining for the past three PCL championships and dozens more before hand.

The two combined for 35 goals in each of their wins en route to the championship game further proving their dominance over their own conference.

With dark grey storm clouds hanging heavy overhead providing backdrop, the stage was set for a much-anticipated rematch.

The packed bleachers filled with St. Joe’s and La Salle faithful acted like an outlet providing electricity for the entire game.

The game that would ensue was much like a heavy weight title fight with each side exchanging blows, neither wanting to give their opponent the upper hand or a situation to take advantage of.

Although the momentum would shift for much of the afternoon, these two teams played as though it was a 0-0 score for the game’s majority. Neither La Salle nor The Hawks wanted to show any signs of weakness.

It was La Salle who would strike first, scoring twice in the games opening quarter. The Explorers would hold a 2-0 lead after the first.

Some good transitioning early was key to La Salle taking the opening lead according to head coach William Leahy; it helped put the team in good scoring position.

“Any time you get a lead early that’s a good thing. It makes you feel good and it shifts the momentum your way,” said Leahy.

An exciting second quarter would see each team match each other blow for blow.

After being shut out in the first quarter, Pete Gayhardt would get The Prep on the board almost mid way through the second and open the scoring for the quarter with a strong rip from the top of the key. It was one of those instant energy goals that shot life right into the entire Hawk’s team.

The Prep’s Kevin Stump would then capitalize on a breakdown in La Salle’s defense to draw the game even at two goals apiece; this was one of the lone mistakes La Salle made in the entire afternoon.

Just as it seemed the scale might have been tipping in St. Joe’s favor, La Salle immediately responded with two quick goals from Chris Hladczuk and Matt Clibanoff to bring the score to 4-2.

The Prep's Pete Gayhardt scores in second half to help rally his team (photo James Williamson)

The Prep's Kevin Stump ties game with a goal making in 2-2

La Salle’s Mazurek would then add an impressive rip of his own to bring the score to 5-2.

With almost a minute and a half remaining in the game’s opening half, St. Joe’s would trim the lead back down to two with a goal from Griffin Flemming.

La Salle would then take a 5-3 lead into the half, but suffered dearly from injuries during the first half. Most notably, La Salle lost senior Kevin Lacon to a nasty knee injury and would require younger guys to step up in his absence.

La Salle maintains physical presence throughtout the game

One of the most interesting things to watch in the game’s opening half was the differing styles of play between St. Joe’s and La Salle. St. Joe’s mixed up their various coverages and would attempt to force turnovers through lack of opportunity, whereas La Salle was always looking to make a physical play.

“Historically that has been La Salle lacrosse. This year we’ve been a little prettier in our style, so it’s good to return to our roots,” said Leahy on his team’s physical brand of lacrosse.

Leahy warned his La Salle team at the half of how difficult it can be to put a team like St. Joe’s away late; and they did just as he expected.

La Salle moves the ball looking for a chance to score while killing time on the clock

Fourth quarter goal by La Salle's #13 Chris Hladczuk seals the victory

With the opening of the third quarter came a surging Hawk offense, who were on the attack from the start of the second half.

St. Joe’s held the ball for much of the third quarter, limiting La Salle offensively, but were only able to tack on a single goal thanks in large part to the efforts of La Salle sophomore goalie Michael Clibanoff.

Clibanoff stonewalled The Prep for much of the quarter, catching shots with his stick or just absorbing them with his body. There was only one thing going through his mind throughout the quarter, “Do not let the ball in.”

La Salle would continue to pour on goals throughout the fourth quarter while St. Joe’s continued to struggle against Clibanoff.

La Salle would hang another four goals on St. Joe’s, who would respond with one of their own in the game’s final minute, to take a 9-5 lead and seal the victory they had waited almost a year to reclaim.

“This feels awesome. We lost last year when we really expected to win. Since then, with the way we lost, we were really focused on winning this game. It’s awesome knowing we won and we pulled it out. All the hard work this whole off-season, it all went to this moment,” said Mazurek, who was key in his team’s victory scoring a hat trick while providing a major source of offense throughout the game.

As La Salle teammates began to dog pile on top of one another and give out congratulatory hugs, you could see just how important this win was to all the young men involved.

“This is awesome, I have never experienced this before,” said Clibanoff, who earned his first taste of PCL glory with the win.

“It’s good to have the title back,” said Leahy.

Despite the overwhelming sense of excitement and unbridled joy, there was still more work to be done.

“To win, all our hard work has really paid off, but we’re not done yet,” Mazurek.

La Salle will now play for the District 12 City Championship today at 5 p.m. against Northeast High School.