By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/28/09

    St. Joseph’s Prep moved into first place in the Phillylacrosse.com Boys’ Rankings – but the Hawks have little time to celebrate Saturday’s 12-11 overtime win over previously-undefeated Conestoga at the Katie Samson Festival. Today St. Joe’s travels to Catholic League rival and No. 2 La Salle, which has won six straight and is picking up steam. This week’s rankings:

     1. St. Joseph’s Prep (7-0) – The Hawks surprised a lot of people, but not themselves when they handed Conestoga its first loss in a thrilling overtime game at the Katie Samson Festival. This is a team with confidence. Now, another major challenge – today at No. 2 La Salle. Last week: No. 4.

    2. La Salle (7-3) – The Explorers are quietly emerging as the powerhouse team everyone expected they’d be. Today they have their chance to get back on top. Last week: No. 2

    3. Conestoga (12-1) – The Pioneers showed tremendous grit in coming back to force OT against The Prep. They need to get right back up on the horse tonight when they travel to No. 5 Radnor. Last week: No. 1

    4. Episcopal Academy (9-5) – EA’s win over Malvern Prep last week , unofficially, was its first over the Friars in 12 years. The Churchmen have their Inter-Ac League fate in their own hands, having beaten both Malvern and Haverford. They are at Penn Charter today and at Germantown Academy Wednesday before hosting GA Friday. Last week: No. 8

    5. Radnor (11-2) – The Red Raiders can cause a three-way tie atop the Central League tonight with a win over visiting Conestoga. They also host Malvern Prep Saturday. Last week: No. 6.

    6. Malvern Prep (5-6) – The Friars suffered yet another heartbreaking loss, 6-5 to Brunswick School (Conn.) Saturday at Katie Samson. They hope to have injured starters James Connelly (defenseman) and Andrew O’Connell (goalie) back for today’s key Inter-Ac league game at Haverford School. Last week: No. 5.

    7. Haverford School (10-7) – The Fords, who had their four-game win streak snapped by La Salle Saturday at the Katie Samson Festival, face a do-or-die situation tomorrow when they host Malvern Prep in the Inter-Ac. Last week: No. 8

   8. Downingtown East (12-2) – The Cougars looked awesome against Springfield Saturday in their 9-3 rout of the Delco Cougars. They will look to win out their final four games and grab at least the No. 2 seed in the first District 1 tournament. Last week: No. 9.

   9. Springfield-Delco (11-2) – The Cougars did not look like the team that started 11-0 and defeated some very strong teams along the way in their drubbing to Downingtown East at Katie Samson. They need to bounce back in Central League games today (at Marple Newtown) and Thursday (at Garnet Valley) to gear for Saturday;’s contest at No. 2 La Salle. Last week: No. 3

  10. Emmaus (9-3) – The Green Hornets were impressive in knocking off coach Jef Hewlings’ old team, Penncrest, at Katie Samson. They have a key Lehigh Valley league game Friday at home against Easton. Last week: No. 10

     Teams to watch (in alphabetical order): Archbishop Wood, Central Bucks East, Germantown Academy, Holy Ghost Prep, Lower Merion, Owen J. Roberts, Unionville, West Chester East.