RECAP >> Playing what head coach Desi Gonzalez called a good all-around game from start to finish, Emmaus rolled in its District XI Class 3A quarterfinal at Memorial Field on Thursday evening as they easily defeated Freedom 14-2.
“Today was the first day we put four quarters of lacrosse together all season,” said the Hornets second year coach. “I’m proud of the boys, the way they came out and the way that they fought and executed the game plan. Hopefully they do the same thing going into the next round.”
Emmaus, the No. 3 seed, improved to 13-7 overall on the season and now advances to next Tuesday’s semifinal at Northampton High School at 5 p.m. where they’ll take on a familiar foe in second-seeded Delaware Valley (Milford, Pa.) which received a first-round bye. The Hornets defeated the Warriors in the same round back in 2017, 10-4 in a game also played at Northampton.
The other semifinal match-up will feature top-seed and undefeated Parkland, the two-time defending district champs, taking on the No.5 seed Easton at 7 p.m. The Red Rovers ousted fourth-seeded Nazareth 14-3 last night.
Eight different Emmaus players scored goals in the win for the Hornets who defeated Freedom for the third time this season.
Senior Bailey O’Connor led the way with his second four-goal game of the season. Classmate Sam Conway, junior Michael Leschinsky and sophomore Zach Whalen each added a pair of goals for Emmaus, which jumped out to a 4-0 lead after the first quarter and comfortable 9-1 advantage at the half.
Sophomore Matt Dapper scored his second goal of the season, senior Jon Csensits his seventh and junior Richie Tracchio and sophomore Justin Hollinger both scored their first goals of the season.
Freedom’s lone two goals of the game came from sophomore Quin Hoke and senior Connor Bevan. The Patriots ended their season at 7-11.
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Freedom – 0-1-0-1 – 2
Emmaus – 4-5-3-2 – 14
Emmaus goals – Bailey O’Connor 4, Michael Leschinsky 2, Sam Conway 2, Zach Whalen 2, Matt Dapper, Richie Tracchio, Jon Csensits, Justin Hollinger
Emmaus assists – Leschinsky, Grant Hawkins 2
Freedom goals – Quin Hoke, Connor Bevan