Heading into their much-anticipated non-league matchup at Oak Knoll, NJ on Saturday morning, Emmaus had allowed just one goal through their first seven games while compiling a 7-0 record.
The perennial New Jersey power, who entered the game unbeaten, gave the Hornets everything they could handle and then some as they scored the most goals Emmaus has given up in a game – two – in looking to hand head coach Sue Butz-Stavin’s squad its first loss of the season.
But the Hornets 50th year head coach and team had other ideas as they escaped with a 3-2 win in defeating the Royals for the second consecutive season.
Senior Avery Burnett wound up scoring the game-winning goal in the third quarter breaking a 2-2 tie as Emmaus remained unbeaten on the season (8-0) while handing their longtime coach her 1,100th career coaching win.
Emmaus never trailed in the contest as they jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the opening quarter on the first of two goals from sophomore Ella Horner on a penalty stroke.
Oak Knoll (3-1) would tie the game in the second quarter on junior Phoebe Laferriere’s goal before the Hornets regained the lead on Horner’s fifth goal of the season.
Freshman Lola Rosciano tied the game at 2-2 in the third before Burnett found the back of the cage for the game-winner, her team-leading seventh goal of the year.
Emmaus outshot Oak Knoll 16-13 in the game with each team having eight penalty corners. In goal, junior Emily Romano was credited with six saves, while senior Aiko Price had three stops for the Hornets.
Emmaus will return to league play on Monday at 6:30 p.m. as they host Liberty at Memorial Field.
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Emmaus 3, Oak Knoll 2
Em – 1-1-1-0 – 3
OK – 0-1-1-0 – 2
Scoring:
Em – Ella Horner (PS)
OK – Phoebe Laferriere (assist CeCe Honeker)
Em – Horner (assist Marissa Gigliotti)
OK – Lola Rosciano (assist Alex Sherman)
Em – Avery Burnett (assist Rylie Povilaitis)
Stats –
SOG: Em 16, OK 13
PC’s: Em 8, OK 8
Saves: Em (Emily Romano 6/Aiko Price 3); OK (Kristen Shindle 10), OK (Kristen Shindle 10)