By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/30/08

The seventh Phillylacrosse.com Scholastic Boys Top 10 Poll:

1. La Salle (22-1) – The Explorers, winners of 21 in a row, wrap up their regular season with games Thursday (at No. 5 Germantown Academy) and Friday (Archbishop Wood). They remained No. 4 in this week’s STX/Inside Lacrosse National High School Rankings. The Catholic League playoffs begin May 9, with the quarterfinals. Last week: No. 1.

2. Malvern Prep (13-2) – The Friars took a major step in clinching the Inter-Ac League title and a Top 2 seed in the Eastern Pennsylvania Scholastic Lacrosse Association tournament with Tuesday’s 10-6 win over Haverford School. They moved up to No. 11 in the National Rankings and they host No. 6 St. Joseph’s Prep Thursday. Last week: No. 2.

3. Haverford School (10-5) – The Fords hope to rebound from Tuesday’s loss to Malvern Prep Friday when they host fellow Inter-Ac foe Penn Charter (No. 8). They also host No. 10 Conestoga Saturday. Last week: No. 3.

4. Ridley (13-2) – The Green Raiders, who bowed to No. 1 La Salle, 9-4, at the Katie Samson festival Saturday, have key Central League games coming up against Penncrest (Thursday, away) and Strath Haven (May 6, home). Last week: No. 4.

5. Germantown Academy (9-4) – The Patriots have vaulted several spots by virtue of clutch wins over Penn Charter (6-5) and Springfield-Delco (8-7) last week, and Tuesday’s 13-2 rout of Chestnut Hill. The going gets tougher Thursday when they host top-ranked La Salle. Last week: No. 10.

6. St. Joseph’s Prep (15-3) – The Hawks have yielded less than five goals in each of their last 10 games. That defense gets a major test Thursday at No. 2 Malvern Prep. Last week: No. 8.

7. Downingtown East (9-6) – The Cougars bounced back from Saturday’s heartbreaking, double-overtime loss to Haverford School by whipping Kennett, 14-3 Tuesday. They’re off until May 7 when they travel to West Chester East. Last week: No. 7.

8. Penn Charter (10-6) – The Quakers lost their fourth game in five tries Tuesday when they fell to Episcopal Academy, 8-7, in overtime. No time to fret. Now they host Haverford School Friday and undefeated New Jersey power St. Augustine Saturday. Last week: No. 5.

9. Lower Merion (13-3) – The Aces return to the Top 10 after defeating Conestoga, 7-6, Tuesday in a key Central League win as George David scored three goals. They host Haverford High Thursday in another key league game. Last week: unranked.

10. Conestoga (10-4) – The Pioneers lost a 7-6 decision to Lower Merion Tuesday, dropping them into a second-place tie in the Central League. They gear for a key Central League home game Thursday at Springfield-Delco. Last week: No. 6.

Under consideration: Springfield-Delco, Abington, Episcopal Academy, Emmaus, Central Bucks East, Strath Haven, Radnor, Hatboro-Horsham.