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It was a standout year for Judge

From Abington's late-season heroics to Northeast's Public League championship title, nothing was boring about boys' soccer in Southeastern Pennsylvania. The area boasted a National Soccer Coaches Association/Adidas all-American in Downingtown West's Brian Forgue.

Northeast forward Tim Creighton grabbed a handful of the jersey of Central's Lucas Isakowitz during the Public League championship match Oct. 31. Northeast won, 2-0.
Northeast forward Tim Creighton grabbed a handful of the jersey of Central's Lucas Isakowitz during the Public League championship match Oct. 31. Northeast won, 2-0.Read moreJERRY LODRIGUSS / Inquirer Staff Photographer
    by By Keith Pompey, Inquirer Suburban Staff
    Published 

From Abington's late-season heroics to Northeast's Public League championship title, nothing was boring about boys' soccer in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

The area boasted a National Soccer Coaches Association/Adidas all-American in Downingtown West's Brian Forgue.

Team-wise, Catholic League champion Father Judge (18th) and PIAA Class AAA state runner-up Downingtown West (27th) both finished the season listed in the Student Sports Fab 50 boys' soccer rankings.

Here's some high and lows of the season.

Team of the year.

In addition to winning the Catholic League title, Father Judge (21-1-1) is the area's top team, regardless of league or classification.

The Crusaders' lone setback came to the Episcopal Academy Churchman (by a 2-1 score) on Oct. 10. Judge outscored this season's opponents, 76-19, en route to winning its first league title in 31 years.

Coach of the year.

With arguably the area's most dangerous team, Abington's Randy Garber gets the nod.

The Galloping Ghosts (18-8-1) won 11 of their last 13 matches and finished No. 5 in Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Inquirer. One of those victories came against second-ranked Downingtown West.

But as the 13th seed in the 26-team District 1 Class AAA tournament, Abington wasn't even favored to win its first-round contest. After squeaking past Penncrest, the Ghosts knocked off fourth-seeded North Penn, 21st-seeded Hatboro-Horsham, and the top-seeded Whippets to reach the final, where they lost by 2-1 in overtime to Lower Merion.

Garber was the driving force. He persuaded his players to sacrifice individual honors for the good of the team.

Performance of the year.

Motivated by not being named to the all-Public League team, Juan Rodriguez had his best game of the season in the Public League championship.

The senior scored two first-half goals to lift Northeast to a 2-0 victory over Central.

Heartbreak of the year.

Downingtown West was nine minutes away from the Class AAA state championship in regulation.

Leading 1-0, the Whippets surrendered a goal to Peters Township's Mark Majoras in the 71st minute. Then the Indians' Shane Pruitt scored to lead Peters Township to a 2-1 overtime win.