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BOYS' LAX: La Salle Makes it a Three-Peat as PCL Champs

By Dan Mc Carty - video by: Chip Frenette, 05/21/18, 12:30PM EDT

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SPRINGFIELD, PA-The La Salle College High School Explorer's lacrosse team has done it all over again. An 11-2 rout of the St. Joseph’s Prep Hawks in the Philadelphia Catholic League (PCL) championship game Friday, May 18, at Cardinal O’Hara High School resulted in the team bringing home the PCL trophy for the third consecutive year.

A 4-1 advantage after the first quarter truly got things moving in the right direction for La Salle.

“It was a team effort,” said senior Ethan LaMond (Navy) who finished with a hat trick. “We got four quick goals. We kept scoring. It kept working for us.”

This was especially important for the 17 graduating seniors on the squad to claim the PCL as the Explorers had fallen to the Hawks in the league title match during their 2015 freshman season. They were able to prove that the last two title games were not mistakes by any means.

“It was a great game today,” said head coach Bill Leahy. “Seniors should enjoy this moment.”

“It’s a great accomplishment,” said LaMond. “I thank my coaches and teammates.”

2018 PCL LAX Championship Highlights - Chip Frenette

Brendan Meagher found the net first and La Salle took a 1-0 lead. Senior Matt Clibanoff (Ohio State University) tallied a goal off of an assist by senior Ethan Masucci (Monmouth University). Meagher registered another unassisted goal and it was 3-0.

Andrew Clevenger scored for the Prep with 2:43 to play in the opening quarter prompting the Explorers to use a time out but they did not get discouraged. Meagher was able to complete his hat trick with just seconds remaining in the quarter.

The second quarter turned out to be quite a strong one on defense. Both teams took time outs and LaMond scored his first goal with 4:32 remaining until halftime.

La Salle played a stellar third quarter. LaMond secured a goal unassisted. Chris Mockaitis scored with senior Greg Osborne assisting. Teammate Robert Foster added two goals with Joe Taylor and Masucci providing the assists.

LaMond sealed his hat trick late in regulation but the Hawks were determined to prove that it was not over as Senior Eric Scheuerle scored with 3:33 on the clock. Masucci answered back  with a  goal nearly three minutes later.

St. Joe’s used one last time out with 21.7 to go but La Salle played it out ahead of the buzzer and it was time to celebrate another PCL crown on the field before being presented with the 2018 trophy.

“This is definitely a big win for us,” said Masucci. “This is what I wanted.”

Hawks’ goalkeeper Tommy McHugh prevailed on defense and so that kept the Explorers including Masucci on their feet.

“He did great,” said Masucci. “He made me shoot. I kept shooting.”

Senior goalkeeper Mike Clibanoff (Ohio State University) led the way for La Salle.

La Salle and St. Joe’s Prep have yet to face each other again in the PIAA District 12 AAA championship game on Thursday, May 24, at Northeast High School (5:30 PM).

         


La Salle College High School, the 2018 PCL Boys' LAX Champions. – PSD photo by Dan McCarty

“We’re just climbing away,” said Masucci. “We’re 100 percent confident in the group that we have.”

“We still have some work to do,” said LaMond.

This is La Salle’s 22nd Catholic League Championship Title.