The PA Playoff Primer Headed Into June

<h3 class="wp-block-heading">🥍 Pennsylvania Playoffs Explode</h3>   When we last checked in, momentum was everything—teams were either building it or breaking under it. Since then, chaos has taken over the Commonwealth. The postseason picture is no longer just forming; it's finalized. The stage is set!   Heavyweights have traded blows. Underdogs have pulled stunners. The lines between contenders & pretenders are starting to blur. From Haverford's revenge tour to Radnor's rollercoaster, one thing is clear:   Mayhem on the field isn't coming—it's already here.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">🛣 The Road to the PAISAA Championship: Competition Before the Crown</h3>   Before the fireworks of the final, contenders had to survive an unforgiving playoff gauntlet. Each semifinal served as a proving ground & the top dogs didn't disappoint.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">🧱 Malvern Prep silences ANC, grinds Past Episcopal</h4>   Malvern began its title push by dismantling the Academy of the New Church, racing to a 7–1 halftime lead en route to a commanding 14–7 win. [player_tooltip player_id='19765' first='Logan' last='Turley'] & [player_tooltip player_id='14544' first='Michael' last='Ortlieb'] each posted hat tricks, while Malvern's relentless ride throttled ANC's clear game and tempo.   In the semifinals, Malvern leaned on experience & depth to edge out Episcopal Academy, 10–6. Inter-Ac MVP [player_tooltip player_id='123284' first='Evan' last='MacFarland'] sparked EA early, scoring twice in the opening quarter, but [player_tooltip player_id='24577' first='Danny' last='Riely'] (2g, 3a) and goalie [player_tooltip player_id='19762' first='Heath' last='Jones'] led a composed response, as Malvern's defense locked down late.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">⚡ The Hill School outlasts SCHA</h4>   In the quarterfinals, The Hill School doubled up Springside Chestnut Hill Academy 10–5. While [player_tooltip player_id='127541' first='Kessler' last='Cox'] continued to be a legendary force, the real difference came on defense—Hill shut down SCHA's top scorer in the second half, dominated the ground game, & forced four failed clears in the fourth quarter to seal the win.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">🔥 Haverford rolls through Westtown & Hill School</h4>   Haverford School, on a mission all postseason, opened by blitzing Westtown, 17–4, behind [player_tooltip player_id='127151' first='Chris' last='Burnetta'] & [player_tooltip player_id='24572' first='Evan' last='Large'], who combined for 9 points. The Ford's second midfield line provided crucial depth & pressure.   In the semis against The Hill School, [player_tooltip player_id='127541' first='Kessler' last='Cox'] gave Haverford fits early, but [player_tooltip player_id='14541' first='Griff' last='Meyer'] (14-of-20 at the X) plus a second-half surge led by [player_tooltip player_id='23606' first='Conor' last='Morsell'] & [player_tooltip player_id='24572' first='Evan' last='Large'] fueled a 10–7 win. Goalie [player_tooltip player_id='40418' first='Colin' last='Decker'] delivered timely saves down the stretch foreshadowing his ability to be just as good as anybody!   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">🏆 PAISAA Final: Haverford wins instant classic vs Malvern</h3>   On May 22, Haverford School cemented its No. 1 status in Pennsylvania with a thrilling 12–11 win over Malvern Prep in the PAISAA Championship. The clash of the titans delivered a wavering war of adjustments, with each team trading haymakers. The difference?   Faceoff dominance. Late-game poise. [player_tooltip player_id='24572' first='Evan' last='Large'].   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">📖 Game Recap:</h4>   The first half played like a chess match. Malvern struck first with [player_tooltip player_id='14539' first='Owen' last='Mears'] in transition & [player_tooltip player_id='24577' first='Danny' last='Riely'] from X. [player_tooltip player_id='123281' first='Jack' last='Rischitelli'] & [player_tooltip player_id='24572' first='Evan' last='Large'] responded for Haverford, while Malvern built a 5–3 lead behind smooth half-field execution. A misplayed clear led to a [player_tooltip player_id='23606' first='Conor' last='Morsell'] goal & [player_tooltip player_id='14564' first='Reece' last='Childs'] followed with a bounce shot to make it 6–5 Haverford. Malvern's [player_tooltip player_id='14517' first='Jake' last='Bickel'] tied it 6–6 at halftime.   Malvern surged early in the third: Turley and Riely connected to go up 9–6. But Haverford didn't blink. A 3–0 run, sparked by Morsell & capped by Large, tied it 9–9 heading into the fourth.   The knockout stretch followed:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Large stung one high after a hard dodge.</li>   <li>Burnetta split and fired for 11–9.</li>   <li>Morsell finished a brilliant front swing off the crease tangent for 12–9.</li> </ul>   Malvern answered with Mears inverting from behind, where Turley ultimately scored off a rebound to make it 12–11. At the end [player_tooltip player_id='14517' first='Jake' last='Bickel'] got a final look, but [player_tooltip player_id='40418' first='Colin' last='Decker'] made the save of the year to seal the title.   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">🎯 Game Changers:</h4>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='24572' first='Evan' last='Large'] (5 goals) – clutch goals flipping momentum in both halves.</li>   <li>[player_tooltip player_id='23606' first='Conor' last='Morsell'] (3g, 2a) – critical transition points & riding pressure.</li>   <li>[player_tooltip player_id='14541' first='Griff' last='Meyer'] – 16-of-25 faceoffs, 8 GBs; dominant X performance.</li>   <li>Dan Riely (3g, 2a) & [player_tooltip player_id='19765' first='Logan' last='Turley'] (3g) – led Malvern's attack.</li>   <li>[player_tooltip player_id='40418' first='Colin' last='Decker'] – late-game heroics in the net sealed the win.</li> </ul>   Haverford's grit, midfield production, & faceoff control made the difference. In a game loaded with future D1 talent, the Fords' ability to respond to every punch earned them the belt & bragging rights across Pennsylvania State.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">🧭 Philadelphia Catholic League: LaSalle Locks It Down</h3>   Also on May 22, LaSalle College High School claimed the PCL Championship with a smothering 6–2 win over St. Joseph's Prep.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='123227' first='Michael' last='Van Bastelaar'] led the Explorers with 2 goals.</li>   <li>[player_tooltip player_id='18397' first='Christian' last='Peterman'] (MVP of the PCL) dominated the X 11-of-12, starving the Prep of possessions.</li>   <li>Trot Cush scored both goals for the Hawks; Keegan Dunn had 8 saves in the loss for SJP.</li> </ul>   LaSalle's control & playoff polish make them a serious contender in the upcoming PIAA AAA bracket.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">🏟 PIAA Primer: District Crowns Claimed</h3>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">🔷 District 1 AAA Final: Springfield-Delco Dominates</h4>   Springfield-Delco shut down Radnor, 10–3, behind Pat Flaherty & faceoff ace Tommy Rush, who continues to control the tempo.   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">🔶 District 1 AA Final: Marple-Newtown Stuns Shanahan</h4>   Marple-Newtown took down Bishop Shanahan 11-10 in a statement win.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='14563' first='Brian' last='Box'] was electric with 5 goals & an assist.</li>   <li>A 4–1 third quarter & strong ride tilted the field.</li>   <li>[player_tooltip player_id='24873' first='Marco' last='D'Alicandro'] made key stops in the goal.</li> </ul>   Marple enters the PIAA Class AA tournament as the District 1 top seed, boasting a deep midfield and serious momentum.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">⭐ Players to Watch</h3>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='14563' first='Brian' last='Box'] (Marple Newtown) – 5 goals in the District 1 AA final.</li>   <li>[player_tooltip player_id='18401' first='Sawyer' last='Smith'] (Radnor) – 6 goals & 2 assists in the Ridley playoff win.</li>   <li>Tommy Rush (Springfield-Delco) – Faceoff weapon.</li>   <li>Chris Capozzoli (Ridley) – 12 goals over the last 4 games.</li> </ul>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">📊 PA State Rankings – May 31, 2025</h3>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">🥇 Top 10 Teams in Pennsylvania</h4>   <ol class="wp-block-list"> <li>Haverford School</li>   <li>Malvern Prep</li>   <li>Episcopal Academy</li>   <li>Springfield-Delco</li>   <li>LaSalle College High School</li>   <li>The Hill School</li>   <li>Radnor</li>   <li>Springside Chestnut Hill Academy</li>   <li>St. Joseph's Prep</li>   <li>Easton Area</li> </ol>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">🔍 Under Consideration (A–Z)</h4>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Allentown Central Catholic</li>   <li>Academy of the New Church</li>   <li>Bishop Shanahan</li>   <li>Cardinal O'Hara</li>   <li>Central York</li>   <li>Devon Prep</li>   <li>Downingtown East</li>   <li>Manheim Township</li>   <li>Marple Newtown</li>   <li>Mars</li>   <li>Mount Lebanon</li>   <li>North Allegheny</li>   <li>Penn Manor</li>   <li>Pennridge</li>   <li>Ridley</li>   <li>Shady Side Academy</li>   <li>State College</li>   <li>West Chester Bayard Rustin</li>   <li>Westtown</li>   <li>Wilson West Lawn</li> </ul>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">🗓 PIAA Playoff Schedule (First Round – June 3)</h3>   📝 Boys AA Key Matchups:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>1-1 Marple Newtown vs. 12-2 Cardinal O'Hara</li>   <li>12-1 Devon Prep vs. 3-3 Twin Valley</li>   <li>2-1 Crestwood vs. 3-2 Lampeter-Strasburg</li>   <li>4-1/6-1 Selinsgrove vs. 2-2 Scranton Prep</li>   <li>8-1/10-1 Meadville vs. 7-2 South Fayette</li>   <li>3-1 Trinity vs. 7-3 Hampton</li>   <li>11-1 Allentown Central Catholic vs. 1-2 Bishop Shanahan</li>   <li>7-1 Mars vs. 3-4 Lower Dauphin</li> </ul>   📝 Boys AAA Key Matchups:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>1-1 Springfield-Delco vs. 1-6 West Chester Bayard Rustin</li>   <li>11-1 Easton Area vs. 1-4 Pennridge</li>   <li>3-2 Central York vs. 1-3 Ridley</li>   <li>12-1 LaSalle vs. 1-5 Downingtown East</li>   <li>6-1/10-1 State College vs. 7-2 Shady Side Academy</li>   <li>3-1 Manheim Township vs. 7-3 North Allegheny</li>   <li>1-2 Radnor vs. 3-3 Wilson</li>   <li>7-1 Mount Lebanon vs. 3-4 Penn Manor</li> </ul>   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> Quarterfinals: Sat, June 7 Semifinals: Tue, June 10 Championships: Sat, June 14 at Penn State (Panzer Stadium) Class AA – 12:30 p.m. | Class AAA – 5:30 p.m. </blockquote>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">🔮 Looking Ahead</h3>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>PIAA brackets are loaded—expect fireworks...</li>   <li>Can Springfield-Delco cap off a dominant year?</li>   <li>Does LaSalle have another deep run in them?</li>   <li>Will Easton, Ridley, or Manheim Township shake up the Top 10?</li> </ul>   ⏭️ Next Up: June Judgment   As the heat turns up literally & figuratively the PIAA gauntlet begins June 3, & by mid-month champions will be crowned at Penn State University. Will Radnor do the unthinkable & make it 5 straight? Will the current favorites like Springfield-Delco, LaSalle, & Marple Newtown handle the pressure? Or will dark horses crash the party? More to come with June's Judgement where legacies are made, upsets unfold, & PA LAX reaches its ultimate crescendo!