The game against St. Joseph's Prep on Thursday served as a microcosm of the team's season. Trailing by three goals at halftime, it seemed the rout was on, and Judge, having won three straight with Mychack firmly back in place, was headed for an embarrassing loss at home.
After intermission, however, a stark transition was made with Mychack at its epicenter. Behind two Mychack goals, Judge rallied to overcome the Prep, 5-4, in what could prove to be a pivotal Catholic League shootout.
"We came out of the gates real slow [this season], and that's partially my fault," Dunlop said. "[Mychack] saw the mistakes I was making, the team was making. He kind of took it on the back. He said, 'Look guys, we've got to be accountable for our mistakes.' "
The second of Mychack's strikes came on a 78th-minute, game-winning head ball off a textbook entry cross from Justin Hiltwine.
"Probably the best moment I've had so far in all the years I've played in high school," said Mychack, a member of the Crusaders' 2009 state-championship team.
Judge (7-3 overall, 6-1 league) has won a season-high four straight and hasn't lost since Sept. 21. With just one PCL loss, Judge stands in good position to nab one of six playoff seeds that will result in a first-round bye in the league's postseason.
The Prep (4-4-2, 3-3-2), the defending league and District 12 champion, continues to sit precariously in the middle of the PCL pack, and the Hawks could miss the postseason for the first time since 1975. Four games remain on the schedule, and 10 teams qualify for the league tournament.
"I don't know if I've ever had a Prep team score four goals and lose. Today, we did," said an exasperated Jim Murray, who has been at the Prep helm since the program's inception 41 years ago.
The Hawks stormed to a 4-1 halftime lead behind two goals from Tolu Ibikunle, and one apiece from Jeff Caskey and Colin McGlynn.
