By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/21/09
The game we’ve all been waiting for has arrived. Tonight at Teamer Field in Berwyn at 7:00, No. 1 Conestoga (10-0) hosts No. 3 Springfield-Delco for first place in the Central League and supremacy in the Phillylacrosse.com Boys’ Rankings. Both teams have played near flawless lacrosse this year, showing consistency and the ability to rise to the occasion to beat top teams. All this despite the fact both teams play many underclassmen. They may end up meeting three times, but this one is no less important because the winner gets a head start on a Central League crown. Here is Week 6:
1. Conestoga (10-0) – The Pioneers have had a magical season thus far. Will it continue tonight when they host No. 3 Springfield-Delco in a game that has major implications in the Central League. Last week: No. 1
2. La Salle (5-3) – The Explorers had a week off and due to the rain. They play at Episcopal Academy today and gear for a battle at Katie Samson against Haverford School – the team they beat with two dramatic buzzer-beating goals in the semifinals of the Eastern Pennsylvania Scholastic Lacrosse Association last year. Last week: No. 2
3. Springfield-Delco (10-0) – The Cougars have remained somewhat in the shadows of Conestoga while matching the Pioneers’ 10-0 start. Today, they get their shot at the No. 1 team in the area. Last week: No. 3
4. St. Joseph’s Prep (5-0) – The Hawks survived a scare Saturday with a 7-6 triumph over stubborn Episcopal Academy. They host Monsignor Bonner Wednesday and then gear for a matchup against No. 1 Conestoga at Katie Samson. Last week: No. 4
5. Malvern Prep (5-4) – The Friars’ 9-4 win Saturday over Darien (Conn.) was the type of game that can turn a season around. It was clearly the team’s best showing the year. MP is at Penn Charter today, hosts Episcopal Academy Thursday and meets Brunswick (Conn.) at Katie Samson Saturday. Last week: No. 7.
6. Radnor (8-2) – The Red Raiders have won four straight since a disappointing loss to Springfield-Delco. They host Upper Darby today and play Ridley Thursday before facing Tatnall School (Del.) at Katie Samson. Last week: No. 8
7. Episcopal Academy (7-4) – The Churchmen rebounded from their loss to Downingtown East last week to edge Haverford School, 5-4, before a near-miss loss (7-6) to St. Joseph’s Prep Saturday. They need to turn it up even more as they host No. 2 La Salle today and play at No. 5 Malvern Prep Thursday before meeting Abington at Katie Samson.
8. Haverford School (8-6) – Have the Fords also turned their fortunes around with their recent wins over Penn Charter (15-2) and Downingtown East (9-5)? We’ll begin to find out today when they host Germantown Academy and learn for sure Saturday when they meet No. 2 La Salle at Katie Samson. Last week: No. 9
9. Downingtown East (9-2) – The Cougars had their six-game win streak snapped by Haverford. They hope to rebound in the Ches-Mont this week against Downingtown West (today) and Kennett (Thursday) on the road before taking on Springfield-Delco at Katie Samson. Last week: No. 6
10. Emmaus (7-3) – The Green Hornets, who have gone through the first half of the Lehigh Valley League undefeated, are off until meeting Penncrest at Katie Samson. 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, Penncrest, Ridley, Unionville, West Chester East.
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