Boys Soccer – Senior-laiden, experienced Hornets hungry for District Gold – and more – heading into upcoming season. (PREVIEW):

Photo Andy Moxey

Head coach – John Cari (15th year, 235-72-20 overall)

Assistant coaches – Kyle Grim, Matt Conway, Scot Kocis

Last season – 15-7-1 overall; 12-3-1 EPC; District XI runner-up lost to Freedom 1-0, 2 OT; lost to Abington 4-0 in 1st Round PIAA Tournament

Players lost to graduation/other – Def. Callen Reid, Def. Alex Aiken, Def. Connor Dang, F Justin Llado, F Creyn Muthard, MF Evan Witman, MF Anthony DeCresci, GK Alex Tomasello, Sr. MF/F Nick Cari (injury)

Returnees – Sr. Def. Thomas Hanvey (4 goals/12 assists, West Chester commit), Sr. F AJ Febbraro (2g/3a), Sr. MF/F Andrew Gaines (5g/1a, Muhlenberg commit), Sr. F Jake Groh (team-leading 15 goals/5 assists), Sr. Def. Joe Huck, Sr. Def. Jake Perry, Sr. MF Eric Johnson, Sr F Cayden Muthard, Jr MF Alexzander Toto, Jr. F Josh Miller, Jr. MF Patrick Walsh, Sr. GK Aidan Connolly, Jr GK Chris Buck, Jr. MF Josh Whalen, Jr. Def. Jacob Hain

Newcomers – Soph. F Hudson Peck, Jr. Def. Jaeden Amato, Soph. Def. John Hanvey, Soph. GK Ty Bleiler, Jr. GK Ed Zellner

Season-opener: Aug. 30 @ Cumberland Valley (4 pm)

Follow the team on social media: Twitter: @Emmaussports.com, @EmmSoccer; Facebook: Emmaus boys soccer

Coach Cari: “I have a lot of kids returning this season and they have some hunger and they want to come back and win one (District XI Championship). We’ve been to eight straight finals, but this group, except for AJ Febbraro, haven’t been on a district championship team and they want to make their mark. With this many seniors who have experience, I think the hunger is there”

“We think we have the kind of team that should be making and hopefully pass the first round of states. Districts is important to us, but we actually think we can make another move or another step and that’s really what we’re aiming for this season.”

EPC challengers: Easton, Liberty, Parkland