By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/30/11

While Haverford School has capped its season with a thrilling victory over Malvern Prep in the Inter-Ac Invitational championship game, play begins in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association tournament on Wednesday.

Here are this week’s Phillylacrosse.com Boys’ Rankings.

1. Haverford School (23-0) – The Fords capped a perfect season with a perfect ending by scoring two goals in the final 37 seconds to best Malvern Prep, 5-4, and win the Inter-Ac Invitational. Haverford is sure to be anointed the national champion by all polls and will probably be considered the best Philly team ever. Prev: No. 1

2. Conestoga (21-1) – The Pioneers won their third straight District 1 championship by downing Central Bucks East, 10-4, and open state play against District 3 fourth-place finisher Cumberland Valley at Henderson (5 p.m.) . Prev: No. 2.

3. Malvern Prep (14-6) – The Friars did everything but beat Haverford School in their heartbreaking 5-4 loss to the Fords in the Inter-Ac Invitational. Some will always say that a questionable non-call went against them, but either way the Friars played standout lacrosse and that’s what should be remembered. Prev: No. 3

4. Central Bucks East (20-2) – The Patriots placed second in the District 1 tourney and get a date with District 1 fifth-place finisher Ridley at Henderson at 7 p.m. Prev: No. 5

5. St. Joseph’s Prep (16-4) – The Hawks got the proverbial monkey off their backs when they snapped a seven-year and 14-game losing streak to La Salle in taking the Catholic League crown, 8-6. They open PIAA play for the first time with a game against District 1 fourth-place finisher Pennsbury at Plymouth Whitemarsh at 6 p.m. Prev: No. 7

6. La Salle (14-6) – The Explorers fell to St. Joseph’s Prep, 8-6, in the Catholic League title game. Prev: No. 4

7. Downingtown West (20-2) – The Whippets, who finished third in District 1, open against District 3 champion Manheim Township at Cumberland Valley HS in Mechanicsburg at 7 p.m. Prev: No. 6

8. Penn Charter (12-11) – The Quakers reached the semifinals of the Inter-Ac Invitational. Prev: No. 8

9. Germantown Academy (14-5) – The Patriots placed third in the Inter-Ac League. Prev: No. 10

10. Pennsbury (15-8) – The Falcons, who finished fourth in District 1, open PIAA play against St. Joseph’s Prep at Plymouth Whitemarsh (6 p.m.). Prev: No. 9

Under Consideration: Abington (15-6), Allentown Central Catholic (18-4), Avon Grove (17-4) Downingtown East (13-6), Garnet Valley (15-5) Great Valley (15-5), Radnor (12-8), Ridley (19-4), Shipley School (16-3), Spring-Ford (20-4).