Father Judge wins first PCL title since 2013 with 3-0 victory over Holy Ghost

Three first half goals and a strong defensive performance put Father Judge over the hump of the Philadelphia Catholic League title Monday night in a 3-0 win over Holy Ghost Prep at Sweeney Field on the campus of Saint Joseph’s University.

Adrian Cucalon, Kevin Schmanek and Cullen Barnett all scored in the first half to stake the Crusaders to a 3-0 lead and put them in position to win the program’s first PCL title since 2013. The Crusaders third straight clean sheet in the playoffs and 8th in PCL play this season sealed the title, which had eluded the program with runner up finishes in 2015, 2021-2023 and 2025.

The PCL title is the program’s fourth after also winning it in 2009 and 2007. It marks the first time a team other than La Salle College has won the title since Archbishop Ryan beat Father Judge in a penalty shootout in 2022.

Father Judge will next take on Public League champions Central in the District XII 4A Championship on Thursday at 5 p.m. at the Northeast Supersite. Holy Ghost will take on Science Leadership Academy at 1 p.m. Thursday in the District XII 3A Championship.

All photos by Steven Polumbo

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Matthew Ralph

Matthew Ralph is the managing editor of Philadelphia Soccer Now. He's covered soccer at all levels for a decade in the Philadelphia region and has also written for TheCup.us, NPSL, PrepSoccer and other publications. He lives with his wife and two young children in Broomall, Pa., but grew up in South Jersey and is originally from Kansas.

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