A quick start, a strong finish and having the league’s best player made all the difference for Emmaus on Tuesday night in its early-season showdown with rival Central Catholic at Salisbury High School.
The Hornets got off to a blazing start scoring the game’s first four goals, then after falling behind by two late in the third, Emmaus was able to rally outscoring the Vikings 6-1 the rest of the way to earn a hard-fought and entertaining 14-11 victory.
Senior Will Barber, who entered the game with 14 goals in just three games, continued his hot start to the season by accounting for half of his team’s offensive production, matching his career-high of seven goals while adding three assists in leading coach Justin Fuhrman’s team, which is off to a 4-0 overall start and 3-0 in the EPC.
Barber, who was named the Sport clips Player of the Game on the LIVE broadcast on The Eastern Pa. Sports Network, was unstoppable down the stretch in the win as he scored three straight goals to give his team a 13-10 lead in the fourth quarter after the two teams were tied at 10-all at the end of the third.
Besides the efforts of Barber, Emmaus also got contributions from five other players who registered at least one point. Senior Liam Rooney had a four-point effort with three goals and an assist, juniors Kaleb Mains, Gabe Chies and Jewlien Torres along with senior Jahkari Christian all added goals. Between the pipes, senior Sam Rainford was outstanding in the second half only allowing three goals after giving up eight through the first two quarters.
Central Catholic, which had outscored its first two opponents 31-6 in getting off to a 2-0 start, was led in scoring by senior attackman Luke Shimko who had a six-point night with three goals to go along with three assists. Sophomore midfieldersTate Shoemaker and Jack Restino each had a hat trick, while junior midfielder James McCarthy added a goal and an assist for the Vikings who suffered their first loss of the season (2-1).
Emmaus will return to action on Saturday at 10 a.m. as they host Wilson West Lawn in a non-league game.
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Emmaus 14, CCHS 11
Em – 5-1-4-4 – 14
CC – 4-4-2-1 – 11
Scoring:
Em – Will Barber 7g/3a, Liam Rooney 3g/1a, Kaleb Mains 1g/1a, Gabe Chies 1g, Jewlien Torres 1g, Jahkari Christian 1g, Sam Rainford 12 saves
CC – Luke Shimko 3g/3a, Tate Shoemaker 3g/1a, Jack Restino 3g, James McCarthy 1g/1a, Liam Farrell 1g, Michael Restino 1a, Chris Burke 12 saves
PHOTOS COURTESY OF NATHAN LEWIS
