PHILADELPHIA-   In all due respect to the other worthy competitors, it almost had to come down to this.

   Through 11 regular-season games and two playoff rounds, neither La Salle (11-0-2) nor Roman Catholic (10-0-3) lost a single game. Thanks to top-seed La Salle’s penalty kick victory over fourth-seed Archbishop Wood and third-seed Roman Catholic’s 1-0, triumph over second-seed Father Judge, the defending champion Cahillites and Explorers will meet in the Catholic League final tomorrow afternoon at South Philadelphia’s Super Site at 10th & Bigler Streets. Starting time is either 5:00 or a half hour after the preceding girls’ 2:30 final between Lansdale Catholic and Archbishop Wood.

   Something says that the mythical gods of Catholic League soccer will push this thing into overtime and maybe beyond. If ever there were two evenly matched finalists, these are the pair.

   “I'm feeling really excited,” said Roman Catholic standout defenseman Artie Dolan. “It feels great to get a big win against a good team and get back to the final for the third year in a row and try and go back-to-back. Obviously the win over Judge was a team effort. Everyone worked hard like we have all season, and we're just really excited to get back out there Saturday and try to win.”

   Dolan was one of several Cahillite representatives who avoided any elongated conversation about comparing this year’s team to last year’s since the 2015 squad was also facing an undefeated team, Father Judge, in the championship.

   “That was last and this year is obviously different just like every team is different since then,” said Dolan. “We're not gonna worry about them being undefeated. We’re just gonna come prepared like we've done every game this season.”

   An intense regular-season meeting between the two on September 30 finished in a 2-2 tie. Roman had taken a 1-0 lead, fell behind 2-1, and then tied the game late. While it would be surprising to watch four goals be scored between these two defenses, it certainly would be entertaining.

   More than likely, one regulation goal should get the job done.

   “It will help a little going through it last year,” said Roman coach Ray DeStephanis. “We just have to answer the challenge as a defending champion. When you graduate who we did it’s hard to replace those players. This group needs time to find out who they are and how they can win together in their way.”

La Salle, meanwhile, survived a major scare in its win over Wood, but dominance in post-overtime penalty kicks proved to be the difference.

   “It was crazy how little the margin for error was,” said La Salle coach Tom McCaffery. “Our guys were able to stay composed and execute.”

   As does his adversary, McCaffery retains tremendous respect for his opponent.

   “I am expecting another really difficult game in the championship,” said McCaffery.

“Roman has proven to be one of the hardest working teams in the league and have not let up any goals so far in the playoffs. We will have to match their intensity and execute our game plan perfectly if we want to win.

   “This group of seniors has lost to Roman two years in a row and I think it would be great for them to get a win against a team that has tested them for so long.”

   Taking a feed from junior Jared Fielding, whose overtime goal had beaten Lansdale Catholic in the quarterfinal, Roman senior Aidan Meissler scored the game winner against Judge. Freshman goalie Kevin Tobin and his defense made it stand.

   Meissler said he “felt a ton of exhilaration” as the ball crossed the goal line.

   “It was a great feeling,” said Meissler. “It was the kind of thing players dream about, and to get to help out the team like that and represent Roman was an amazing feeling.”

   Meissler isn’t making any predictions about the final.

   “La Salle is a great team and it's going to be a great game,” said Meissler. “We just have to go out there and do what we're capable of doing so we can get a win.”

   La Salle senior James Hughes, who scored the Explorers’ regulation goal that was ultimately followed by successful penalty kicks from senior Mike D’Angelo, sophomore Cole Hammel, and sophomore Dave Steinbeck while junior goalie Brett Werner didn't allow any, is taking a similar approach.

   “It felt really good to contribute to finally get over the hurdle of the semifinals after two straight years of losing there,” said Hughes. “I am really happy that we have a chance of winning a trophy on Saturday.”

   Enough words. Let the game begin.

(John Knebels can be reached at jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)