St. Hubert wins first PCL title since 2002; La Salle wins third straight

Saturday night’s Philadelphia Catholic League soccer finals on Sweeney Field at Saint Joseph’s University marked the return of a champion, the end of an era and the continuation of dominance.

St. Hubert won their first PCL title since 2002 with a penalty shootout victory to snap Archbishop Wood’s run of four-straight titles in the girls final and La Salle won their third straight and 7th title since 2015 with two late goals to beat Father Judge in the boys final.

Quin Miller, who came up big for St. Hubert in their 1-0 win over Archbishop Carroll in the semifinal earlier in the week, rang up double digits in saves during regulation and had a key save in the shootout to lead the Bambies to the winners circle while Bridie Musial followed a game-winner in the semifinal with an equalizer after Wood senior and PCL MVP Paige Eckert put the four-time defending champions in front.

Unlike in their 4-1 in over Nazareth Academy in the semifinal and in all but one PCL game during the regular season (a 1-0 win over Carroll), the Vikings were unable to find a second goal and left the door open for a dramatic 5-3 shootout win for the second-seeded Bambies, which were the only team to score on Wood during the PCL regular season in their 2-1 overtime loss.

Despite the loss, Wood’s season will continue in the state tournament as the District XII Class 2A champions. St. Hubert will play Benjamin Rush for the Class 3A district title and Archbishop Carroll will play Franklin Towne Charter for the 4A district championship on Tuesday.

Two second half goals scored by senior Ryan Shenko and Jan Axsom opened up a tight defensive battle in the boys final and led La Salle College to their third straight championship in a 2-0 win over fifth-seeded Father Judge in the second game on Saturday.

Second half goals by senior Ryan Shenko and junior Jan Axsom lifted No. 3 La Salle College to its third consecutive PCL Boys’ Soccer Championship with a 2-0 win over fifth-seeded Father Judge on Saturday evening on the campus of Saint Joseph’s University.

For Father Judge, the quest for their first PCL title since 2013 resulted in another heartbreaking loss.

For he Explorers it meant they’ll get a chance to avenge their District XII 4A title game loss a year ago to Northeast High School in Wednesday’s district final. Northeast booked their return trip with a 2-0 win over Franklin Towne in the city league final on Friday.

District XII Championship Schedule

Girls’ Soccer
Oct. 28 – at Northeast Supersite
4A Championship: Archbishop Carroll vs. Franklin Towne Charter – 1 p.m.
3A Championship: St. Hubert’s vs. Benjamin Rush – 3 p.m.
2A Champions: Archbishop Wood

Boys’ Soccer
Oct. 29 – at Northeast Supersite
2A Championship: Devon Prep vs. Bartram – 1:00 p.m.
3A Championship: Archbishop Ryan vs. Franklin Towne Charter – 3:00 p.m.
4A Championship: La Salle College vs. Northeast – 5:00 p.m.