They often say that the sport of soccer can be cruel at times.
Unfortunately for Emmaus this post-season, they found that out not once, but twice.
On the same field.
In the same manner.
And with the same result.
Heartbreak.
After having come up short in their quest to win back-to-back league championships in a 1-0 semifinal loss to Freedom at J. Birney Crum Stadium in Allentown less than two weeks ago in a game that was decided by penalty kicks (4-3), Emmaus quickly refocused its attention towards a much bigger goal – playing for a District XI 4A championship.
With a dominating 2-0 win over Whitehall last week in the quarterfinals, the Hornets were just one step away towards reaching that goal needing only to beat Northampton in Tuesday night’s semifinal round at the same venue where they suffered their first loss of the season.
Emmaus, which entered the game currently ranked No. 3 ranked in the latest Pa. Soccer Coaches Association poll, had already beaten the K-Kids once this season on their home field, handing them just their second defeat of the year, 2-0 back on September 15.
Now the question was, could they do it again.
On paper, it looked like a good possibility.
Add in the fact that Northampton was minus two key starters – defender Blake Turner (1st Team EPC) and midfielder Jariel Medina (2nd Team) – and all indications appeared towards an Emmaus victory.
But it never happened.
Despite a dominating effort through the run of play and even into the two 15-minute overtime periods where they held a 13-2 advantage in shots on goal and 14-1 in corners, the Hornets were unable to crack a hot goalie in Northampton’s Ryan Nahf as they saw their season come to an abrupt end in a 1-0 loss in a game that was once again decided on penalty kicks.
Nahf, a first team all-leaguer, stood on his head when his team needed him the most, stopping two of Emmaus’ four shots, while his teammates converted on all four of their chances as the K-Kids stunned the Hornets winning the penalty kick session 4-2.
“I’m gutted. We completely dominated and couldn’t win that game,” said a disappointed Emmaus coach John Cari.
The loss was just the second on the season for the Hornets who closed out an outstanding campaign with an 18-2-2 overall record.
Meanwhile the victory, advances Northampton to the championship game on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Salisbury High School where they will take on Parkland, which advanced with a 3-0 win over Pleasant Valley in the other semifinal. The Trojans are the two-time defending champs. Both teams have also qualified for the PIAA State Tournament.
Nahf, who coach Chris Bastidas called ‘the best goalie in the state, preserved the victory when he stopped Emmaus’ fourth shooter – senior Maseyn Muthard – setting off a wild celebration for the K-Kids who advanced to their second district final in the last three years.
“Kudos to Northampton for forcing this into penalty kicks,” said Cari. “They felt they couldn’t score and this was their game plan. It’s hard to believe we didn’t lose a game on the field this season and will not play for a title. It’s going to take some time to heal from this one.”
Junior Jacob Fallenstein, the area’s leading goal scorer (29 goals), was first in the penalty kick session and had given his team a 1-0 lead burying a shot past Emmaus sophomore goalie Chase Evans.
After Emmaus’ Xavier Kieber-Emmons scored and tied it at 1-1, Jason Brabec put Northampton ahead 2-1. Knapf then stopped Caeden Thornton’s shot and then junior Blake Lavenburg converted to make it 3-1.
Sophomore Dylan Tumblin cut the lead to 3-2, but Northampton converted on its fourth attempt as junior Joseph Gonzales scored before Nahf stopped Muthard’s shot as the K-Kids celebrated avenging for an earlier-season loss to the Hornets.
For Emmaus and its large senior class, it’s a sudden end to a season that came up short of any kind of championship for the first time in four years.
“This senior group deserved so much more,” said Cari. “They worked hard and accepted whatever role was given to them. They were a great group of kids who left a positive impact on our future teams.
“I’m sorry we couldn’t get them a title, but they will walk away knowing they posted 19 shutouts in 22 games and posted the second-best goals against average in state history, allowing only three goals all season,” said Cari. “I thank them for all of their time, sweat and effort they put forth every day.”
The 12 seniors who played their final high school game included: Noah Tintle, Tyler Evans, Anthony Suida, Lorenzo LoPiccolo, Gabe Reyes, Sebastian De La Cruz, Amadou Ndiaye, Maseyn Muthard, Caleb Brown, Noah Wachtner, Nate Schalles and Jibreel Naiem.
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Northampton 1, Emmaus 0 (4-2 PKs)
No – 0-0-0-0-1 – 1
Em – 0-0-0-0-0 – 0
Scoring (Penalty kicks)
No – Jacob Fallenstein, Jason Brabec Blake Lavenburg, Joseph Gonzalez
Em – Xavier Kieber Emmons, Dylan Tumblin
Stats
SOG – No 2, Em 13
Corners – Em 14, No 1
Saves – No (Ryan Knapf 13), Em (Chase Evans 2)