The John Carroll soccer program, after years of frustration, has risen to elite status in the MIAA A Conference over the two last years and with Friday’s 3-0 road victory over No. 3 Loyola Blakefield, the 2nd-ranked Patriots have locked up the second seed for the upcoming league playoffs.

Loyola entered the contest with a chance to overtake John Carroll in the standings and claim the first round playoff bye that comes with one of the top two seeds, but the speedy Patriots were methodical in building towards their three scores with Eddie Smith, CJ Rugel and Ryan Skandlis netting the goals.

Only Smith’s opening score was assisted as Connor Ellis provided the helper.

Amir Smith record five saves to complete the shutout.

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John Carroll (15-2-2), which will conclude its regular season on Wednesday with a visit from Gilman, played the Dons to a 1-1 tie earlier this year. Loyola (14-4-1), which gave top-ranked Calvert Hall its only blemish when it tied the Cardinals in late August, will enter the playoffs as the third seed and the Dons will host a quarterfinal round game. Loyola closes its regular season on Wednesday at Mount St. Joseph.

Fifth-ranked Archbishop Curley (10-6-1), which hosts St. Paul’s on Saturday morning, appears to set to clinch the fourth seed. Archbishop Spalding (9-9) has 27 points with two games to play and is in good position to make the six-team post-season field, but needs one more point to make it a certainty.

McDonogh (7-9-1), Concordia Prep (7-10-1) and Gilman (6-11-1) are all still in contention for one of the final two spots in the playoffs.