By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/14/12
The post-season has arrived.
The district tournaments open Tuesday in Pennsylvania with Great Valley holding the No. 1 seed and the Central League holding most of the rest of the top seeds. In New Jersey, No. 1 Moorestown is the team to beat after it downed last year’s overall state champion, Ridgewood, 15-10, to remain undefeated.
On Saturday, Episcopal Academy will try to close out an undefeated Inter-Ac league championship when it faces second-place Notre Dame.
This week’s rankings:
1, Moorestown (19-0) – The Quakers handed Ridgewood a 15-10 defeat, avenging last year’s 10-9 loss in the Tournament of Champion finals. Of course, the Quakers will not rest until they win back the T of C title they held for 10 years until 2010. Prev: No. 1
2, Great Valley (18-0) – The Patriots, champions of the Ches-Mont League, received the top seed in the District 1 tournament and host Phoenixville on Tuesday. Prev: No. 2
3, Garnet Valley (17-1) – The Jaguars, champions of the Central League, received the second seed in the District 1 tournament and host Perkiomen Valley on Tuesday. Prev: No. 3
4, Shawnee (13-2) – The Renegades, coming off big wins over Clearview Regional and Washington Township, have a grudge match today with Lenape. Prev: No. 5
5, Harriton (15-3) – The Rams earned the third seed from the Central League after tying with Radnor for second place. They host Bayard Rustin in the first round of districts on Tuesday. Prev: No. 6
6, Radnor (14-4) – The Red Raiders dropped a 16-12 decision to Notre Dame, but earned the second seed from the Central League (third overall) and host Wissahickon Tuesday in the first round of the District 1 tourney. Prev: No. 4
7, Springfield-Delco (15-3) – The Cougars claimed the fifth seed and open District 1 play Tuesday at home vs. Pennsbury. Prev: No. 7
8. Strath Haven (11-7) – The Panthers enter the playoffs as one of the hottest teams around, riding a five-game winning streak. They are the No. 7 seed and host penncrest on Tuesday in districts. Prev: No. 10
9, Conestoga (11-7) – The Pioneers tied with Strath Haven for fifth in the Central League and host Central Bucks West in the first round of districts Tuesday. Prev: No. 9
10. Notre Dame (15-2) – The Fighting Irish get back into the rankings based on a 16-12 win last week over Radnor, but ultimately they will be judged mostly on their key Inter-Ac League game with Episcopal Academy on Saturday. EA won the first game, 13-12, in overtime and can win the crown outright with a victory.
Honorable mention: Archbishop Carroll (10-8), Boyertown (16-4), Council Rock North (14-3), Episcopal Academy (12-5), Hatboro-Horsham (16-2), Henderson (16-2), Merion Mercy (15-2), Upper Dublin (15-3).
