RECAP >> Despite all their success locally in being the gold standard in District 11, Emmaus has not had that same success when it comes to the PIAA State Tournament.
Not since 2006 had the program experience a win in “The Big Dance.”
They’ve been close many times mind you in recent history, but trying to get over the hump has been a challenge.
That all changed Saturday afternoon at home at Memorial Field.
Facing District 12 power LaSalle College High School in the quarterfinals, the Hornets came up with their best effort of the season as they battled back not once, but twice before finally celebrating a hard-fought and entertaining 3-2 win over the Explorers.
“I’m so thrilled for our boys,” said an ecstatic Emmaus head coach John Cari, whose team last won in states 14 years ago against Souderton. “That’s a great win against a good team.”
“We responded multiple times in this game,” he added. “We were down and we tied it 1-1 and then we took the lead and they came back and got one that tied it at 2-2 and we were still able to rally for the win. These kids didn’t want to quit tonight. It was awesome.”
Senior Patrick Walsh came up with game-winning goal in the 71st minute of play as he headed a crossing pass off a corner kick from classmate Hudson Peck into the back of the goal as the Hornets took the lead for good.
“I’m super-happy to score it,” said Walsh of his eighth goal of the season. “Hudson played me a great ball and I made a curling run to the near post and flicked it in. All the credit goes to him.
“This was the biggest game I think I’ve played in my high school career,” he added.
To date, yes. Now the next game becomes the biggest for Walsh and his teammates.
The win improves Emmaus to 14-1 on the season, but more importantly, it advances them to the next round and a date with Neshaminy, which defeated Pennridge in penalty kicks to capture the District One championship on Saturday. The semifinal game will played at 6 p.m . on Tuesday on Neshaminy High School’s home field in Langhorne.
And that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
The last time Emmaus reached this round was back in 2000 when they defeated West Chester Henderson 1-0 at Neshaminy before falling in the state title game to North Allegheny 1-0 in overtime.
Thanks to Walsh’s goal, the Hornets are now just one win away from Hershey and the state finals.
“We weren’t nervous at all today going against LaSalle,” said Walsh, “but we were definitely prepared. Those guys are super-skilled. The best team we’ve faced all season. I just think we were able to bring it when we had to.”
And Emmaus did just that.
After LaSalle had taken a 1-0 lead on a Sean Jennings goal in the 15th minute of the first half, the Hornets responded with the equalizer eight minutes later as senior Nate Romig, who scored the game-winning goal in the District XI championship win over Nazareth, came up with his second goal of the season off an assist from senior Alex Toto.
Heading into the half all tied at 1-1, it was Toto who had given his team its first lead of the game in the 54th minute of the second half with a picture-perfect blast from 35 yards out that went over the outstretched arms of Explorers senior goalie Derek Campo and into the back of the net for his seventh goal on the year.
LaSalle, which ended its season at 15-2, would respond as senior midfielder Brandon Curran, an all-state selection from a year ago, tied the game at 2-2 with a goal in the 67th minute, before Emmaus finally won it on Walsh’s goal.
“This was a team (LaSalle) that had eight returning starters and they reached the state semifinals a year ago, so yes, this is a gigantic win for us,” said Cari. “We are just thrilled we were able to get it done. I just hope now we are able to keep this in check going forward against our next opponent.”
LaSalle outshot Emmaus by a slim 6-5 margin in the game and both teams each had six corners. Hornets junior Ty Bleiler was credited with four saves in goal, while his counterpart Campo made two stops.
To keep up to date on the team, follow @Emmaussports.com on Twitter and ‘like’ Emmaus boys soccer on facebook.
Emmaus 3, LaSalle 2 (Played Saturday at Memorial Field)
LaSalle – 1-1 – 2
Emmaus – 1-2 – 3
Scoring:
1st half;
La – Sean Jennings 15′
Em – Nate Romig 23′ (assist Alex Toto)
2nd half:
Em – Alex Toto 54′
La – Brandon Curran 67′
Em – Pat Walsh 71′ (assist Hudson Peck)