RECAP >> Twice this week, the Emmaus boys soccer team found itself trailing in a game, and in both instances, the Hornets were able to rally for victories.
On Thursday afternoon at J. Birney Crum Stadium, head coach John Cari’s team had trailed Allen 1-0 in the second half before junior Canyon Reinhardt tied the game with 17 minutes left in regulation and then sophomore Gabe Reyes won it with a dramatic goal in the last :30 seconds of regulation.
Facing a much more difficult opponent in perennial state power Cumberland Valley on Saturday morning at home at Memorial Field, the Hornets once again found themselves in a similar position, trailing by a goal just seven minutes into the second half as Zac Slevin had given the visitors a 1-0 lead.
But that would be the last advantage for the defending District III champs as Emmaus scored three unanswered goals in a 13 minute stretch, and then held on late for a 3-2 victory.
Senior forward Ethan Dublin came off the bench wound up scoring the game-winning goal in the 66th minute – off an assist from classmate Miles Cook – as the Hornets remained unbeaten on season (3-0), while handing Cumberland Valley its first loss of the season.
The win by Emmaus also avenged a 3-1 loss to the Eagles a year ago and it was the first time since 2019 that they had defeated CV.
Reyes, the hero in the win over Allen, gave the Hornets their first lead of the game (2-1) in the 62nd minute of play with his third goal in as many games off an assist from teammate junior Robbie Tumblin.
Senior Kai Mattern’s header, his third goal of the season, off an assist from Reinhardt had tied the game at 1-1 in the 53rd minute.
Neither team generated much offense in the first half as the two teams went into the break scoreless.
In goal for Emmaus, junior Will Peck started the game before classmate Gavin Yartymyk came on in the final 11:40 of regulation.
The Hornets will return to action on Wednesday as they host Pocono Mountain East (1-1) at 6:30 p.m.
For the most complete coverage of Emmaus boys soccer, follow on ‘X’ @EmmSoccer and @Emmaussports.com and on Facebook.
Emmaus 3, Cumberland Valley 2
CV – 0-2 – 2
Em – 0-3 – 3
Scoring:
CV 47′ – Zac Slevin (Nico Paz)
Em 53′ – Kai Mattern (Canyon Reinhardt)
Em 62′ – Gabe Reyes (Robbie Tumblin)
Em 66′ – Ethan Dublin (Miles Cook)
CV ’67 – Nico Paz
Emmaus 2, Allen 1
Em – 0-2 – 2
All – 0-1 – 1
Scoring:
All – Wilonja Esomba
Em – Canyon Reinhardt (Miles Cook)
Em – Gabe Reyes (Robbie Tumblin)
SOG – Em 8, All 3
Corners – Em 7, All 1
Saves – Em (Yartymyk 2), All (Severo 6, Wooley 0)