Matchup: No. 1 seed Emmaus (12-1) vs No. 2 Nazareth (12-1)
When/Where: Tuesday 7:30 pm/Zephyr Sports Complex, Whitehall
What’s on the line: A berth in the PIAA State Tournament on Saturday vs LaSalle College HS, District 12 champ
How they got here: Emmaus defeated Whitehall 1-0 and Freedom 1-0; Nazareth defeated Easton 2-1 and Stroudsburg 4-0
Coaches: Emmaus – John Cari (16th season); Nazareth – Gerry Petrozelli
Head-to-Head – Teams didn’t meet during regular-season
Coverage – LIVE www.pennsportsradio.com; 7:15 pm pregame
Probable starters: Emmaus – Sr. F Josh Whalen, Sr. F Josh Miller, Jr. F Holden Brown, Sr. MF Alex Toto (6g/2a), Sr. MF Hudson Peck (11g/4a), Sr. MF Pat Walsh (7g/1a), Sr. Def. Jacob Hain, Jr. Def. John Hanvey, Jr. Def. Jaeden Amato, Jr. Def. Ryan Santos, Jr. GK Ty Bleiler
Nazareth key players – Sr. Alex Marouchoc (18g), Sr. Jakob Braman (7g/4a), Jr. Gk Nolan Booth (51 saves), Jr. Zack McKinney (11 assists), Sr. Cade Lutz (1g/1a)
NOTES: …Emmaus has 16 overall titles in program history (2019, 2016, 2015, 2011, 06, 05, 04, 01, 00, ’96, ’95’ 94, ’91, ’88, ’87’ 79)……A year ago, Emmaus defeated Whitehall 1-0 in the finals on a Jacob Groh goal ……The Hornets have only scored two goals in two post-season games, but it’s still been good enough to advance them thanks to a stellar defensive unit that has 10 shutouts on the season ….Nazareth has outscored its two opponents (Easton and Stroudsburg) in districts by a 6-1 margin. For the season, the Blue Eagles have scored 38 goals while allowing just 8 in 13 games …
Coach Cari – “Nazareth’s had a really good season and they’ve had some quality wins. Last year when we were dealing with injuries and a three-game losing streak late in the season they are a team that beat us at home.”
“I’m excited for this opportunity for our team. It’s important that we really kinda set a standard for what we want our program to be and that is to be an elite program not only in the area but in the state. I’m proud that we we’ve been able to make 10 straight appearances in the district title game.”