For the Spalding Cavaliers, yesterday's regular-season ending was something they can build on.

For the No. 5-ranked Loyola Dons, it was more like: When do the playoffs start?

With the seedings having already been decided for the upcoming Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association playoffs, the Cavaliers took advantage of one final rehearsal with a sound, 3-1 win over a seemingly uninterested Loyola team in Severn.

Showing good spacing and communication, the Cavaliers (11-7-1) passed with purpose and found the net early to take control, leaving the Dons (11-4-3) behind at every turn.

Spalding will open the playoffs at home on Tuesday as the fourth seed, taking on Mount St. Joseph, while third-seeded Loyola will get a visit from John Carroll.

"It's a good way to finish and a good sign going into the playoffs," said Spalding coach Ed Kestler Jr., whose Cavaliers lost, 5-2, to top-ranked Calvert Hall on Friday. "I think they came out very relaxed, knowing we had the fourth seed, and I told them to just have some fun. They responded."

And quickly.

On Seniors Day, Kestler started all nine of his seniors and it took less than two minutes for the Cavaliers to take a 1-0 lead on a goal from midfielder Patrick Cassilly, set up by a long throw from T.J. Nairn.

Greg Hinkleman and Anthony DeCesaris provided more Spalding offense to build a 3-0 lead, while keeper Ryan Cadden (14 saves) kept the Loyola offense in check with help from sweeper Matt McGehrin.

The Dons finally broke through when Matt Curran finished a chance off a nifty chip from Kevin Mezzadra on a set play with under 10 minutes left.

Much too little, much too late.

"I'm disgusted right now," said Loyola coach Don Kraft. "We didn't come to play. That's not a knock against Spalding, but we just didn't have our usual great effort there. We had 18 tough games and sometimes that just happens.

"I'm just glad it didn't happen in the playoffs."