Matchup: Emmaus 21-3 (District 11 champ) vs Lower Merion 20-1-1 (District 1 third place)
When/Where: Tuesday 7 p.m./J. Birney Crum Stadium
What’s on the line: A berth in the quarterfinals on Saturday vs winner of LaSalle (District 12 champ) or Dallastown (District 3 runner-up)
Coaches: Emmaus – John Cari (15th season); Lower Merion – Nicholas Severini (10th season)
Coverage – Internet/Radio (www.pennsportsradio.com), Twitter (@Emmaussports.com); Facebook (Emmaus boys soccer)
History in states: Emmaus is making its 20th appearance in states; The Hornets last appeared a year ago falling to Abington 4-0. They also appeared in 2016 (losing to CR North 2-1 in OT) and in 2015 (losing to Conestoga 2-1 (6-5 in PKs)…..Emmaus last won a state playoff game back in 2006 when they beat Souderton in the opening-round before losing to Neshaminy. They also advanced to the quarterfinals in ’04 and made it to the state finals in 2000 finishing runner-up to North Allegheny
Probable starters: Emmaus – Sr. F Jake Groh (19 goals/3 assists), Sr. F AJ Febbraro (2/2), Sr. F Andrew Gaines (13/9), Sr. MF Eric Johnson (2/3), Jr. MF Marco Silva (8/5), Jr. F Hudson Peck, Jr. Alex Toto, Sr. Def. Thomas Hanvey, Soph. Def. John Hanvey, Soph. Def. Jaeden Amato, Jr. GK Chris Buck (13 shutouts)
Lower Merion key players – Jr. F Owen Downey, Jr. William Pitonyak, Soph. GK Michael O’Gara, Sr MF Philip Monos, Jr. MF Josh Axelrod, Jr. MF Eli Forman, Sr. Def. Evan Goodman, Jr. Def. Sam Hecht, Jr. F Shane Brown,
NOTES – Emmaus is coming off winning its 16th overall District XI championship with a 1-0 win over Whitehall on Saturday …….The Shutout was the 14th of the season in the fourth straight in the post-season for the Hornets who have outscored their opponents 15-1 since the playoffs started ……Lower Merion won its third place game with Conestoga in penalty kicks 1-1 (4-3) …The Aces were the No.2 seed in the District 1 tournament and defeated Downingtown East 1-0, CB West 2-1 before suffering its first loss of the season to Boyertown 1-0 in the semis…..Lower Merion is a young team with only five seniors on the roster….They finished 19-4 a year ago, 9-2 in the Central League. They are making their first appearance in states since 2010