By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/24/10

With less than a minute left in Saturday’s District 1 quarterfinal game between Hatboro-Horsham and No. 1 Springfield-Delco, it appeared that the face of Philly lacrosse was going to be turned upside down as the Hatters held a 6-2 lead and seemingly had everything going their way.

Instead, the Cougars pulled off a remarkable comeback, winning it, 7-6, to keep its grip on the top spot in the Phillylacrosse.com Boys’ Rankings. This week will determine all district champions and seeds for the 16-team fields in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association championships.

Also on Wednesday, top-seeded Haverford School and third-seeded Episcopal Academy meet at Cabrini College for the Inter-Ac League Invitational championship.

1. Springfield-Delco (18-1) – The Cougars pulled a memorable Houdini act by rallying for a dramatic 7-6 triumph over upset-minded Hatboro-Horsham in Saturday’s District 1 quarterfinals. They meet Garnet Valley Tuesday in the semifinals at Ridley at 8 p.m. (Prev: 1)

2. Conestoga (18-2) – The Pioneers, who topped Lower Merion, 12-7, in the quarterfinals, face a stern test in second-seeded Abington in the semifinals Tuesday at Ridley at 6 p.m. (Prev: 2)

3. Haverford School (19-4) – The Fords were perhaps hoping to gain vengeance against Malvern Prep in the Inter-Ac League Invitational finals. But they have their hands full anyway: trying to beat Episcopal Academy for the third time this year. The game is at Cabrini College at 7 p.m. (Prev: 3)

4. La Salle (16-2) – The Explorers meet Cardinal O’Hara in the Catholic League (District 12) semifinals Tuesday at 4 p.m. at Bonner-Prendergast. (Prev: 4)

5. Abington (19-1) – The Ghosts have been waiting to prove all year they can beat a top-ranked team. They get their shot Tuesday in the District 1 semifinals against defending champion Conestoga at 6 p.m. at Ridley High. (Prev: 5)

6. St. Joseph’s Prep (11-7) –. The Hawks meet Lansdale Catholic in the Catholic League semifinals Tuesday at Bonner-Prendergast at 6 p.m. (Prev: 6)

7. Episcopal Academy (16-5) – The Churchmen get a third shot at Haverford School after topping Malvern Prep, 5-4, when they shoot for the title in the Inter-Ac League Invitational finals Wednesday at Cabrini College at 7 p.m. (Prev: 7)

8. Garnet Valley (16-4) – The Jaguars made it to the Final Four with an 11-8 victory over fourth-seeded Central Bucks East and now face top-seeded Springfield-Delco Tuesday at Ridley (8 p.m.). (Prev: 8)

9. Malvern Prep (13-8) – The Friars were hoping for a chance to defeat Haverford School for a third time, but they closed their season with a 5-4 loss to Episcopal Academy in the Inter-Ac League Invitational semifinals. (Prev: 9)

10. Hatboro-Horsham (17-4) – The Hatters played one of the best games you’ll ever see a team lose when they dropped a heartbreaking 7-6 decision to No. 1 Springfield-Delco in the quarterfinals Saturday. They must pick themselves back up quickly because they have a grudge match Tuesday at Plymouth Whitemarsh in the play-backs with Central Bucks East, the team they tied for the Suburban One Continental Conference championship. (Prev: NR)

Under Consideration (alphabetic order): Also receiving votes: Central Bucks East (15-3), Downingtown West (17-3), Lower Merion (12-9), Owen J. Roberts (16-6), Penncrest (12-7), Pennsbury (17-3), Radnor (13-7), Ridley (13-7), Spring-Ford (19-3).