La Salle comes back to defeat St. Joseph's Prep in Flyers Cup

In an incredible come-from-behind overtime victory, third seed La Salle College High School defeated first seed St. Joseph’s Prep 5-4, earning the Explorers their fourth consecutive Flyers AAA Cup.

After an even 1-1 first period, St. Joe’s got the jump on La Salle in the second, netting three goals. Then, with just under four minutes remaining in the period, Collin Gustafson scored to cut the lead to 4-2.

Battling hard in the third period, La Salle finally scored on a goal by Albert Washco from Andrew Romano with just over five minutes remaining. Minutes later, Romano tied the game at four in a jostle in front of the net.

Neither team managed to break the tie in regulation, sending the game to overtime. Almost four minutes after the puck dropped, Coty Thomas scored his second goal of the game, giving La Salle the victory.

Romano quarterbacked La Salle’s offense with a goal and three assists, followed by Thomas’ two goals. Defensively, the entire unit stepped up late in the second and throughout the third. Goaltender Harrison Feeney made 27 saves, some crucial stops coming in the third to keep the Hawks from running away with the game.

Now as Flyers Cup Champions, La Salle heads to Pegula Ice Arena in State College, PA for the Pennsylvania Class AAA championship. The Explorers will face Peters Township, winner of the Penguins Cup, in the state final to go for their second title in three years. The game will be played on Saturday March 22 at 5pm.

Key Players:

Andrew Romano- 1 goal, 3 assists

Coty Thomas- 2 goals

Harrison Feeney- 27 saves