Top-seeded Father Judge defeated second-seeded Holy Ghost Prep, 3-0, on Monday night to capture the Catholic League soccer championship in front of a large crowd at St. Joe’s University.
Judge (15-0-5) scored all three of its goals in the first half.
The Crusaders took a 1-0 lead less than six minutes into the game when Adrian Cucalon scored off a nice pass by Luke McGonigle.
Less than three minutes later, Kevin Schmanek scored to make it 2-0.
Cullen Barnett scored with 8:05 remaining in the half to give Judge a 3-0 lead.
Holy Ghost’s best chance came with about 17:45 to go in the game when Johnny Pawlowski made a nice pass to Sean Fleming, but Judge goalkeeper Jake O’Neil made a nice save, one of four on the night.
Judge won its first championship since 2013. The Crusaders shut out Conwell-Egan and Archbishop Wood in their first two playoff games.
Holy Ghost is in its first season in the Catholic League.
Both teams will be at Northeast High on Thursday for District 12 championship games.
Judge, led by veteran coach John Dunlop, will face Central at 5 p.m. in the Class 4A title game. The winner earns a spot in the PIAA playoffs, beginning Nov. 11.
Holy Ghost (10-5-5), under first-year coach Amanda Kirby, will take on Science Leadership Academy at 1 p.m. in the Class 3A title game. Both teams have clinched a spot in the PIAA playoffs, beginning Nov. 10. ••
