Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/20/23
Staff Report
La Salle senior short-stick midfielder Nole Henry was confident the Explorers’ defense was prepared for its battle today with St. Joseph’s Prep in the Philadelphia Catholic League championship at Neumann University.
“It was our second time playing them so we were ready for anything,” said Henry after the Explorers won, 6-3, to claim their seventh straight Catholic crown and a berth in the PIAA 3A tournament. “We felt comfortable winning our 1-on-1 matchups, and as long as we did that we had a good chance to win.”
La Salle (15-5) will face the District 1 fifth-place finisher in the first round of the PIAA tourney on June 6. St. Joe’s Prep finishes 14-6 since District 12 no longer has two 3A berths in states.
The La Salle defense – a strong suit all year – held The Prep to one goal through three periods as the Explorers built a 4-1 lead. Coach Rob Forster credited Henry, Jack Koch, Kieran Campbell and Cooper Heilig, who shared the duties at SSMF while Matt Wills, Jack Duffy, Andrew Van Stone and Logan Missett played close defense Brian Blanche and Tripp Adams were at LSM. Also, Matt Nelson was strong in goal with 10 saves.
“It feels great (to win the title),” said Henry, who plans to play wide receiver for the Catholic University football team next year. “The PCL ‘ship is rarely going to be a blowout, and we are always ready for a battle against them.
“They always bring their best.”
Max Wickersham led the Explorers with three goals and Jack Vandegrift added two goals and an assist while Paul Van Bastelaar had a goal and three assists.
Keegan Dunn had 10 saves for The Prep while Anthony Laber, Grant Snyder, and Teddy Fenlin each scored once.
La Salle now has two and a half weeks off to prepare for its state opener.
“I think we are playing well right now, but we have lots of room to improve over the next 2 weeks,” said Henry. “It is going to take our whole team for us to make a run in States.
“Our coaches do a great job of keeping us competitive every day. It’s important for us to all work hard in practice to make each other better.”
Catholic League championship (and PIAA 3A qualifier)
La Salle 6, St. Joseph’s Prep 3
La Salle 1-1-2-2- 6
SJ Prep 1-0-0-2- 3
La Salle
Jack Vandegrift – 2 goals 1 assist
Paul Van Bastelaar – 1 goal 3 assist
Evan Golato – 1 assist
Max Wickersham – 3 goal
Andrew Van Stone – 1 assist
Matt Nelson – 10 saves
Stevie Davis – 6 face off wins
Christian Peterman – 1 FO win
SJ Prep
Anthony Laber 1g
Grant Snyder 1g
Teddy Fenlin 1g
Tyler DeGirolamo 6 FO wins
Keegan Dunn 10 saves
Catholic League champions
1993 – La Salle 7, Bishop Egan 6
1994 – Archbishop Carroll 5, La Salle 3
1995 – La Salle 10, Monsignor Bonner 4
1996 – La Salle 16, Archbishop Carroll 7
1997 – La Salle 20, Archbishop Carroll 6
1998 – La Salle 8, Archbishop Carroll 6
1999 – La Salle 7, St. Joseph’s Prep 5
2000- La Salle 12, St. Joseph’s Prep 11 (OT)
2001 – La Salle 8, Archbishop Ryan 5
2002- La Salle 9, St. Joseph’s Prep 6
2003- St. Joseph’s Prep 9, La Salle 7
2004- La Salle 12, St. Joseph’s Prep 3
2005- La Salle 13, St. Joseph’s Prep 2
2006- La Salle 10, St. Joseph’s Prep 7
2007- La Salle 10, St. Joseph’s Prep 4
2008 – La Salle 6, St. Joseph’s Prep 5
Catholic League/District 12 Champions
2009 – La Salle 4, St. Joseph’s Prep 3
2010 – La Salle 7, St. Joseph’s Prep 5
2011 – St. Joseph’s Prep 8, La Salle 6
Catholic League only
2012 – La Salle 8, St. Joseph’s Prep 7
2013 – La Salle 11, St. Joseph’s Prep 6
2014 – La Salle 8, St. Joseph’s Prep 7
2015 – St. Joseph’s Prep 12, La Salle 10
2016 – La Salle 9, St. Joseph’s Prep 5
2017 – La Salle 13, St. Joseph’s Prep 3
2018 – La Salle 11, St. Joseph’s Prep 2
2019 – La Salle 9, St. Joseph’s Prep 1
2020 – No season due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021 – La Salle 10, St. Joseph’s Prep 4
2022 – La Salle 8, St. Joseph’s Prep 6
Catholic League/District 12 qualifier
2023 – La Salle 6, St. Joseph’s Prep 3
