Sydney Cole was in the right place at the right time on Saturday in helping the girls soccer team do something they haven’t done in six years — win their season-opener.
The Emmaus junior forward came off the bench and knocked in the game’s only goal in the 22nd minute of the first half as the Hornets started their 2018 season on a high note with a 1-0 shutout win over Northampton on Saturday morning at Memorial Field.
The victory on opening day helps Emmaus start the year 1-0 for the first time since 2012 when they defeated Allen 9-0.
“The first thing is that we start the season 1-0 and that’s the biggest thing because we have’t done that in a couple of years,” said fourth-year head coach Sarah Oswald following the win.”Getting a victory in our first game into our season gives us momentum and is positive.”
“There were some good moments in the game and some not so good ones that we are really going to need to clean up as we get through our division,” she added. “Some of the kids that we put on the field today, this was their first varsity game so there were some nerves and some excitement.”
Cole, who spent most of last season with the junior varsity team, showed little nerves as she positioned herself on the near post off a free kick from junior teammate Grace Eisenhard and poked it past Northampton senior goalie Gabrielle Demchak for Emmaus’ first goal of the season.
“The goalie tipped it, the ball hit the post and I was just following the shot and it came right to my foot so I had the opportunity to finish it,” said Cole afterwards. “It was a wide-open goal and I just had to find my composure and make sure I put in the back of net.”
“It’s great for Sydney to come off our bench today and get a goal,” said Oswald. “She has impressed us all throughout the preseason and in the summer with her work rate and what she’s been doing. For her to be able to get her first varsity goal as the game-winner is excellent.”
Hornets junior goalie Alexa Ryan was solid in net as she made five saves and pitched the shutout. In front of Ryan, Eisenhard was outstanding defensively as she saved two potential Northampton goals in each half.
Emmaus edged Northampton 7-5 in shots, with both teams each having five corner kicks.
The Hornets will be back in action when they return to Memorial Field on Wednesday, September 5 to host rival Parkland at 6:30 p.m.
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Emmaus 1, Northampton 0
No – 0-0 – 0
Em – 1-0 – 1
Em goal: Sydney Cole 22′ (1st)
Em assist: Grace Eisenhard
Em saves: Alexa Ryan 5
Em starters: Alexa Ryan GK, Lindsay Phillips, Sarah Smith, Lily Schmitt, Gianna Albanese, Grace Eisenhard, Maddie Fey, Kellie Reith, Maddie McWhinney, Isabella Ingato and Jada Tha. Reserves: Sydney Cole, Lauren Latchford, Maddie Brown, Carly McGrath, Shania Mehrtens, Maggie Grant, Morgan Dill.
Photo credit: Mark Lineberger