Youth/High School Soccer
Archbishop Wood and La Salle repeat as Philadelphia Catholic League Champions
Archbishop Wood won their fourth straight Philadelphia Catholic League girls soccer title on a second half golazo from senior captain Regan Kelso and La Salle exploded with five goals to repeat as PCL boys champions in a doubleheader played at Northeast High School on Sunday afternoon.
Kelso broke a scoreless tie with a wonder strike that beat Nazareth Academy goalkeeper Gracie Sullivan, who had denied Wood several chances to take a lead in the game prior. Sophomore goalkeeper Cat Gabel made a couple of big saves of her own to secure the clean sheet in the 1-0 win. The title win was the first at Wood for head coach Maria Kosmin, who took over the post from brother Tom DeGeorge, who led the program to three straight PCL titles.
The game was a rematch of the 2023 final Wood won 2-0 behind a brace from Kelso.
GIRLS SOCCER 15:19 2nd half: @woodgsoccer 1, Nazareth Academy 0
Regan Kelso with a wonderstrike to give Wood a lead. The senior hustled down the flank to keep the ball in play ahead of her run@ReporterSports pic.twitter.com/hnJa0AnRFz
— Andrew Robinson (@ADRobinson3) October 27, 2024
While the girls final was a defensive battle, La Salle College wasted little time putting their offensive stamp on the boys final. Senior Mark Mazzoni scored six minutes into the game off a through ball from Finn Murray and then set up Sam Ziegler minutes later with a cross inside the six to double the advantage. Colin Norton also scored before halftime and Thomas Regan and Shea Crawford added second half goals.
BOYS SOCCER 33:27 1st Half: @LaSalle_Sports 1, Archbishop Ryan 0
Mark Mazzoni a class finish off a great ball by Finn Murray as Explorers strike first@ReporterSports pic.twitter.com/ND3tHORwmm
— Andrew Robinson (@ADRobinson3) October 27, 2024
The Explorers have now won six of the last eight finals dating back to 2016 (the 2020 final was canceled) and 13 total.
La Salle, Ryan and Wood will all be playing this week in the District XII championships between teams from the PCL and the Philadelphia Public League.
Girls’ Soccer
Oct. 29
3A Championship: Archbishop Ryan vs. Benjamin Rush – 5:00 p.m. (at Northeast Supersite)
4A Championship: Archbishop Carroll vs. Franklin Towne Charter – 1:00 p.m. (at Northeast Supersite)
Oct. 30
2A Championship: Archbishop Wood vs. Engineering & Science – 3:00 p.m. (at Northeast Supersite)
Boys’ Soccer
Oct. 29
2A Championship: Conwell-Egan vs. Bartram – 3:00 p.m. (at Northeast Supersite)
Oct. 30
4A Championship: La Salle College at Northeast – 1:00 p.m.
3A Championship: Archbishop Ryan vs. Franklin Towne – 3:00 p.m.