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Southeastern Pa. lacrosse notes

Shipley's Julius Mouser has mixed feelings now that his outstanding high school lacrosse career has ended.

Shipley's Julius Mouser has mixed feelings now that his outstanding high school lacrosse career has ended.

He's sad to see it over but looking forward to what lies ahead. He has committed to play for Rutgers next season.

"It's been great," he said after the Gators (16-3) wrapped up their third straight Friends Schools League championship. "Now what do I do that it's over?"

He'll actually have plenty to do. Shipley's all-time leading scorer plans to take some summer courses at Rutgers, starting June 27. He will take classes in English and math. He'll also do some weight-room workouts.

In his four-year career at Shipley, Mouser finished with 200 goals and 101 assists for 301 points. This past season, he broke his own record for goals in a season with 69.

He was just named to the all-Eastern Pennsylvania Scholastic Lacrosse Association team at midfield.

Mouser said his only regret in seeing his high school career end was that he didn't have more opportunities to play teams outside the Friends League.

"I wish we played some more of the PIAA schools," he said. "I think they would have given us more competition."

The Gators did beat Plymouth Whitemarsh and Radnor, both PIAA schools, and Episcopal Academy of the Inter-Academic League, But they lost close games to Lower Merion and Upper Merion. They also were beaten by Inter-Ac power Malvern Prep.

Three-peat? Conestoga will go for its third straight District 1 boys' lacrosse championship Thursday when it faces Central Bucks East at Radnor at 8 p.m.

The Pioneers (20-1) beat Pennsbury, 11-3, in the semifinals. Including a run to the PIAA championship last year, Conestoga has compiled a 68-5 record in the last three seasons. They beat La Salle for the state title in 2010 after losing to the Explorers in the final the year before.

"We thought we had a good shot at getting here [the district title game]," said Conestoga coach Brian Samson, whose team's only loss was to Haverford School, the nation's top-ranked team according to ESPN.

"Central Bucks East will present some matchup problems for us. They have some big kids who are very athletic. They have some interesting defenses they throw at you."

Bruce Garcia, whose Patriots are 20-1, was equally complimentary of the Pioneers. East's only loss was to Allentown Central Catholic in the first game of the season.

"Conestoga's an outstanding team, and we're excited to be playing them," Garcia said. "But then who wouldn't be excited about playing in the championship game?"

It will be East's first appearance in the district title game since the PIAA began sanctioning boys' lacrosse.

Both first-timers. The District 1 girls' championship also will be on the line Thursday night. Downingtown East will face Garnet Valley at 7:30 p.m. at West Chester East.

This is the first time either team has reached the district final. Top-seeded East advanced by beating Springfield (Delco), 14-8, and Garnet Valley, the third seed, surprised No. 2 Great Valley, 15-10, in the other semifinal.

Downingtown East (21-1) is on a 19-game winning streak.

Garnet Valley played East very tough in a scrimmage earlier. The Jaguars are 20-2.

"I knew then they were a team to keep an eye on," Downingtown East coach Caitlin Barbakoff said. "They don't have any superstars to do the heavy lifting. They're just a very talented team across the board. We're excited about playing them."

Catholic final. Starting Thursday's list of championship lacrosse games will be the Catholic League boys' final between rivals La Salle and St. Joseph's Prep at 5 p.m. at Cardinal O'Hara.

The 2010 PIAA runner-up Explorers have a 14-5 record, which includes an 11-10 win over the Prep on April 13. They suffered a 13-7 loss to Haverford School, the nation's top-ranked team, on April 23, and are ranked No. 5 in this area by LaxPower.

The Hawks are 15-4, two notches below La Salle in the LaxPower rankings. They lost to Haverford School, 9-8, in overtime on April 9.