Tag: La Salle

La Salle Seeking APAC Laurels

With the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference playoff at hand, La Salle is where it accustomed to being; at the top of the standings. The Explorers win two of the APAC’s first four titles and were in position to play for a third before the 2021 championship game was cancelled because of the ongoing pandemic.

The 2023 playoff semifinals are set for Wednesday and the Explorers will face The Hun School to open the doubleheader at Hatfield Ice (4:00 start). The second game, scheduled for. 6:15 start, will match second seed Holy Ghost Prep and third seed St. Joseph’s Prep.

The Explorers claimed the APAC regular-season title with a 6-5 win over Holy Ghost Prep. Senior defenseman and captain Chase Hannon missed that game with a knee injury, but celebrated along with his teammates.

“We got the job done,” he said. “Everyone was ready to go, there was excitement in the locker room, I kind of new from the start get it done

 La Salle, as usual, started the season slowly, winning just one of its first five games but picked up the pace from there. The Explorers will take an 11-9-2 record into Wednesday’s semifinal. They’ve won four of their last five starts and six of their last eight.

Hannon is elated with how he and his teammates have responded after a slow start to the campaign.

“I think it’s awesome,” he said. “In the beginning, we weren’t too hot but we came together as a team, we all bought it for one goal. It’s been showing We’ve been doing well.”

Hannon said some juggling of the lineup contributed to the Explorers’ turnaround.

”We found guys that are going to get the job done, doing what coach wants,” he said, “and we just kind of bought in, listening to Coach (Wally Muehlbronner). We found our success doing that.”

La Salle 6 Holy Ghost Prep 5

BRSTOL—After an up-and-down season, the La Salle Explorers are ripening like a field full of crops, just as harvest time is drawing near. Evan Golato and James Carpenter scored two goals each as the Explorers held off Holy Ghost Prep 6-5 Monday afternoon at Grundy Arena.

After starting the season by winning just one of its first five games, La Salle stands at 11-8-2 with one regular-season game remaining. The Explorers, who have won their last four starts and six of their last seven, finished Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference play as the regular-season champion with a 6-2 league.

They’ll be seeded first in the conference semifinals, and will face the winner of Thursday’s play-in between Malvern Prep and Hun School on February 22 at Hatfield Ice. Ghost Prep (15-6, 4-2-1-1 in conference) will be the second seed in the playoffs and will take on third-seeded St. Joseph’s Prep in the other semifinal on the same day at the same venue.

Golato scored both his goals in the first period as La Salle took a 2-1 lead. The goals were sandwiched a goal from the Firebirds’ Prep’s Colin Bara.

“We expected a dogfight coming into today,” Golato said. “We’re glad we got away with a win. We just want to keep going game by game, winning and winning. That’s all we want as a team.”

Traffic in front of the La Salle net includes the Explorers’ Will Giordano (#3), and Thomas Doucet (#6) along with Holy Ghost Prep’s Kieran Mulholland (#13) and Zach Pers (#72) Photos by Robert Barnes

Carpenter and Holy Ghost Prep’s Brady Baehser traded goals in the second session before John Seravalli tied the game with 6:53 left in the period. But Matt Giordano answered 43 seconds later with a shot from the high slot to give La Salle the lead for good.

Will Gregorio and Carpenter extended the La Salle lead with third-period goals before Ciaran Chambers scored for the Firebirds with 11:11 left in the game. Kieran Mulholland made it a one-goal game with 29 seconds remaining.

Holy Ghost Prep coach Gump Whiteside praised the effort of both teams.

“A great APSC game,” he said. “Two great opponents competed to the bitter end.

“I was really happy with how we kept battling back. Nobody wants to chase the game of course, but I was really proud of the effort there.” 

Both teams shuffled goaltenders. Jake Rossi started for La Salle, before giving way to Aries Carangi, but later returned before yielding to Carangi once more. Colin Mudrick started in goal for the Firebirds before Jack Unger came on in relief. Mudrick later returned but Unger relieved him again in the third period.”

Golato noted the victory was a true team effort.

“It wasn’t just a performance by one person,” he said. “Every single kid stepped up and had a great game for us to plug away and get the win.”

La Salle 2 2 2—6

Holy Ghost Prep 1 2 2—5

First-period goals: Evan Golato (L) from Ryan Desmond and Declan Kelly, 3:00; Colin Bara (HGP) from Brandon Barger, 12:26; Golato (L) from Will Gregorio, 15:45 (pp)

Second-period goals: James Carpenter (L) from Matt Giordano, 5:07; Brady Baehser (HGP) from Barger, 5:15; John Seravalli (HGP) from Baehser, 13:02; Giordano (L) from Julian Tarsi, 13:45

Third-period goals: Giordano (L) from Michael Zaraycki, 1:49 (pp); Carpenter (L) unassisted, 4:19; Ciaran Chambers (HGP) from Ryan Lippy, 5:49; Kieran Mulholland (HGP) from Mike Holt and Chambers

Shots: La Salle 32, Holy Ghost Prep 18

APAC Update 3-6-23

                                              Won  Lost  OTW  OTL Pts  GF  GA

La Salle (13-9-2)                     6       2        0       0      18   33  23 

Holy Ghost Prep  (16-7)        4      2        1        1      15  39  33

St. Joseph’s Prep (14-6-2)     3      4        1      0         11  24  28

Hun School (11-13)               3       5        0      0        9     24  30

Malvern Prep (9-7)                2       5        0      1     4     23   28

This Week

Monday, 2-13

La Salle 6 Holy Ghost Prep 5

Tuesday, 2-14

Founders Cup Playoffs Play-in

Hun School 5 Malvern Prep 2

Wednesday, February 15

Wyoming Seminary 3 La Salle 2

Thursday, February 16

Hun School 5 Princeton Day 2

Semifinals at Hatfield Ice

4:00 La Salle 5 Hun School 2

6:15 Holy Ghost Prep 4 St. Joeph’s Prep 1

Monday, February 27

Malvern Prep 1, Salesianum 0

Wednesday, March 1

La Salle 7 Holy Ghost Prep 3

Scoring Leaders                             G      A      Pts

Brady Baehser (HGP)                    10      9       19

Joe Samango (SJP)                        11    4       15

Kieran Mulholland (HGP)             9      6       15

Jeremy Jacobs (MP)                      6       8      14

Jeffrey Hammond (SJP)               4       10    14

Justin LaPlante (HS)                    6        8    14

John Seravalli (HGP)                  4       8      12

Elian Estulin (HS)                  4      7       11

Triatan Winata (SJP)             4      6       10

Ryan Levesque (HS)            4       6       10

Playoff Semifinals

Wednesday February 22 at Hatfield Ice

Game Times 4:00 and 6:00

Wednesday, March 1

Founders Cup Championship Game hosted by highest seeded finalist

La Salle 5 Hun School 2

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, N.J.—Evan Golato scored two goals and three other players scored one goal each as La Salle bested Hun School 5-2 Wednesday afternoon in an APAC game at Ice Land.

The win moved La Salle (9-8-2, 5-2 in conference) into a tie for first place with Holy Ghost Prep in the conference standings.

The Explorers broke the game open with four unanswered goals in the second period. Ryan Desmond, Golato, Ryan Wiley, and Golato again scored goals in a span of 8 minutes, 57 seconds to give La Salle a commanding lead.

Scott Richmond scored for the Raiders (8-11, 2-4 in conference 54 seconds into the third period.

La Salle’s Grant LaGreca and Hun School’s Elian Estulin traded goals to complete the scoring.

Jake Rossi got the win in goal, stopping 40 shots. Stephen Chen made 54 saves for the Raiders in the loss.

La Salle 0 4 1—5

Hun School 0 0 2—2

Second-period goals: Ryan Desmond (L) from Evan Golato and Cam Ross, 3:11; Golato (L) from Will Gregorio and Desmond, 8:00; Ryan Wiley (L) from Tim Whittock and Julian Tarsi, 10:01; Golato (L) from Desmond and Ross, 12:08

Third-period goals: Scott Richmond (HS) from Elian Estulin, :54; Grant LeGreca from Whittock and James Carpenter, 9:33; Estulin (HS) from Justin LaPlante, 11:29

Shots: La Salle 59, Hun School 42; Saves:  Jake Rossi (L) 40, Stephen Chen (HS) 54

APAC Standings as of 2-8-23

                                              Won  Lost  OTW  OTL Pts  GF  GA

La Salle (10-8-2)                     5       2        0       0      15   27  18 

Holy Ghost Prep  (15-5)        4      1        1        1      15  34  27

St. Joseph’s Prep (14-5-2)    3      4        1      0         11  24  28

Hun School (9-12)              3       5        0      0        9     24  30

Malvern Prep (8-6)                2       5        0      1     4     24   25

Game Results

Wednesday, February 8

Hun School 2, Malvern Prep 1

La Salle 4 Council Rick South 0

Holy Ghost Prep 7 Pennsbury 5

St. Joseph’s Prep 3 La Salle 1

Joey Samango delivered a hat trick to lead St. Joseph’s Prep to a 3-1 win over La Salle Friday night in an Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference game at the Skatium.

The win lifted the Hawks to 13-3-2 overall and 2-3-1 in APAC play. It also avenged a 5-1 loss to the Explorers at the APAC Outdoor Classic last Wednesday. La Salle dropped to 7-8-2 overall and 4-2 in conference play.

Both teams were missing several key players who were away on club duty.
Samango’s first goal was a shorthanded effort that came with 30 seconds left in the opening period while his teammate Dante Passio was serving a sentence for roughing.

Samango made it a 2-0 game 8:34 into the middle period.

James Carpenter scored for La Salle 3:01 into the third period to make it a one-goal game before Samango responded at the 8:35 mark.

The game included 17 penalties, including a skirmish at the final buzzer that saw five players penalized.

 La Salle 0 0 1—1

St. Joseph’s Prep 1 1 1—3

First-period goal: Joey Samango (SJP) from Luke Schienholtz, 16:30 (sh)

Second-period goal: Samango (SJP) unassisted, 8:26;

Third-period goals: James Carpenter (L) from Dean Carvalho, 3:01; Samango (SJP) unassisted, 8:35

Shots: La Salle 27, St. Joseph’s Prep 21; Saves: Jake Rossi (L) 18. Rocco Bruno (SJP) 26

For more information about La Salle College High School CLICK HERE

For more information about St. Joseph’s Prep CLICK HERE

La Salle 11 Haverford School 0

 Dean Carvalho, Julian Tarsi, and Michael Zarzycki scored two goals each as the Explorers rolled over the Fords on Wednesday afternoon at Hatfield Ice.

Max Monzo, Bill Gregorio, Ryan Wiley, Luke Murphy, and Grant LeGrecca also scored goals for La Salle.

Dante Defruscio picked up the shutout in goal as La Salle improved to 7-7-2 on the season.

APAC Offers a Memorable Evening With Inaugural Outdoor Classic

The Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference enhanced its legacy Wednesday night. The inaugural APAC Outdoor Classic brought four of the five conference schools to the Spring Mountain resort for a doubleheader in a unique outdoor setting.

For the record, Holy Ghost Prep edged Malvern Prep 6-5 and La Salle downed St. Joseph’s Prep 5-1. But as significant as the results were in the APAC conference standings, the impact of the evening and the setting made a deeper impression on the fans in attendance and most notably on the participants. 

The Holy Ghost Prep-Malvern Prep matchup, which opened the doubleheader, was believed to be the first outdoor game in Malvern Pep history, and certainly the first outdoor game in the program’s modern era, which dates back more than half a century.

Senior Jimmy Jacobs is the Friars’ captain. “It was a really cool atmosphere,” he said. “It’s definitely a lot different than what we’re used to.

“When you’re playing outdoors, there’s nothing to complain about, It’s an awesome atmosphere. The ice is a little different, but that’s what we expected. It was really awesome to play outdoors.”

Holy Ghost Prep senior Landon Stout basked in the outdoor atmosphere. Wednesday marked Holy Ghost Prep’s second outdoor game in seven days; the Firebirds faced North Allegheny outdoors last Thursday in Pittsburgh.

“There’s nothing like it,” Stout said of playing outdoors. “That’s all I have to say. It’s a great experience.”

Stout noted the impact the conditions had on play. When the puck was dropped to begin the Holy Ghost Prep-Malvern Prep game, the temperature was in the low 40s, mild enough to impact ice conditions. The lighting conditions were impactful as well

“It’s a lot different than playing inside,” Stout said. “Especially for the goalies, it’s probably pretty hard to see the puck out here.”

St. Joseph’s Prep junior defenseman Shane O’Neill wasn’t happy with the loss to archrival La Salle. But playing a rivalry game in an outdoor setting left memories that are certain to endure.

“It was awesome,” he said. “We got a little taste of it last year against (Cardinal O’Hara), but it’s really nice coming out here under the stars and stuff.

O’Neill could feel a rush of energy when he first took the ice.

“It’s a lot of excitement,” he said. “It’s a different environment out here, but it’s still a lot of fun. At the end of the day, we’re still just playing hockey so, you try not to think too much about where we’re playing, and just get a win.”

La Salle senior Dante DeFuscio was in an observer’s role Wednesday night as the Explorers’ backup goaltender, but he embraced the setting as deeply as anyone in attendance.

“It was definitely unusual but surreal at the same time,” he said. “I don’t think many of our guys have played outside, maybe a handful, two or three. And, we’re just really thankful to be out there.”

DeFusico spent time attempting to absorb the energy and emotion of the occasion.

“I’m just trying to take it all in,” he said, “as much as possible. Especially because I don’t have to be 100 percent locked in. I have to be focused on the game (but) just enjoying keeping the guys loose.”

Holy Ghost Prep 6, Malvern Prep 5—The Firebirds scored three times in the first period and went on to the win that opened the APAC Outdoor Classic. The win kept the Firebirds alone in atop the conference standings with a 4-1-0-1 league record (12-4 overall).
Brady Baehser scored two goals in the win and assisted on another. Kieran Mulholland had a goal and two assists. Landon Stout, John Seravalli and Mike Holt also scored goals.

Jeremy Jacobs scored twice for Malvern Prep (7-3, 1-3) which was seeing its first action of the New Year. Brady Doyle, Jack Sharer, and Caiden Canale also scored for the Friars.

Holy Ghost Prep 3 2 1—6

 Malvern Prep 1 3 1—5

First-period goals: Kieran Mulholland (HGP) from John Seravalli, 1:47; Brady Doyle (HGP) from Aidan Kelly, 5:45 (pp); Landon Stout (HGP) from Brady Baehser and Mike Holt, 8:38; Baehser (HG) from Shaun Moore and Mulholland, 12:54

Second-period goals: Jeremy Jacobs (MP) unassisted, 4:09; Jack Sharer (MP) from Matt Barbacane and Jimmy Jacobs, 11:08 (pp); Holt (HGP) from Mulholland, 13:53; Seravalli (HGP) from Mulholland and Shaun Moore, 14:27; Jeremy Jacobs (MP) unassisted, 15:00

Third-period goals: Baehser (HGP) from Seravalli, :48; Caiden Canale (MP) from Jeremy Jacobs, 13:28 (pp)

Shots: Holy Ghost Prep 34, Malvern Prep 44; Saves: Colin Mudrick (HGP) 39, Brandon Novabilski (MP) 28

LaSalle 5, St. Joseph’s Prep 1—Liam Donahue scored twice as the Explorers bested the Hawks in the nightcap of the APAC Outdoor Classic. Chase Hannon, Thomas Doucet and Evan Golato also scored for the Explorers who are now 6-7-2 overall but 4-1 in the APAC. La Salle is one point behind Holy Ghost Prep in the conference standings with a game in hand,

Jeffrey Hammond scored for St. Joseph’s Prep (12-3-2 overall, 1-3-1-0 in conference) which saw a seven-game unbeaten streak snapped. 

St. Joseph’s Prep 0 1 0—1

La Salle 2 2 1—5

First-period goals: Chase Hannon (L) from Evan Golato, 3:03; Thomas Doucet (L) from Hannon, 9:16

Second-period goals: Liam Donahue (L) from Max Monzo and Will Gregorio, 1:36; Jeffrey Hammond (SJP) unassisted, 7:17 (pp); Donahue (L) from Monzo, 10:24

Third-period goal: Golato (L) from Declan Kelly, 9:28 (pp)

APAC to Host Outdoor Classic

The Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference will stage an outdoor doubleheader Wednesday night at the Spring Mountain resort in Schwenksville.

The event will feature two APAC conference games. Holy Ghost and Malvern Prep will open the doubleheader at 5:00; St. Joseph’s Prep and La Salle will follow at 7:15.

Malvern Prep comes into the week 7-2 overall and 1-2 in APAC play. Jeremy Jacobs has collected two goals and five assists for the Friars in three conference games, while his teammate Caiden Caniale has contributed five goals and an assist in APAC play.

Malvern Prep coach Bill Keenan is looking forward to seeing four APAC schools facing off under the lights.

“I think introducing the APAC Outdoor Classic is a way to bring a fun, entertaining atmosphere for all teams,” he said. “For these kids to get an opportunity to play outside is something they have looked forward to since playing hockey.

“This is the first time our program will be playing outdoors. The boys are eager to experience the excitement of this game. This will be a memory for many years to come.”

Holy Ghost Prep starts the week with an 11-3 overall record and in the first place in the APAC with a 3-0-0-1 conference mark; its conference loss was to St Joseph’s Prep in overtime.

Brady Baehser leads the APAC in scoring with five goals and five assists in conference games. Kieran Mulholland (six goals) and Landon Stout (three goals, three assists) are next with six points each).

LaSalle comes into the week with a 5-6-2 overall mark; the Explorers stand 3-1 in the APAC. Dean Carvalho is the Explorers’ top scorer in conference play, with three goals and three assists. James Carpenter has contributed four goals in conference games.

St. Joseph’s Prep comes into the week with an 11-2-2 overall mark after winning the National Capital Tournament over the holidays. The Hawks are 0-2-1-0 in conference play. Tristan Winata (two goals, one assist) and Jeffrey Hammond (one goal, two assists) are the top scorers in APAC play.

David Giacomin has taken his St. Joseph’s Prep team to Spring Mountain in the past. He’s looking to Wednesday’s return trip.

“St Joes’ is looking forward to returning to Spring Mountain for an outdoor game,” he said. “The boys are excited to participate with the other APAC teams and hopefully make this a yearly special event. “