RECAP >> Heading into its PIAA Class 3A state semifinal with a one-loss Conestoga team on Tuesday at Central Bucks West High School in Doylestown, the Emmaus field hockey team found itself in a position that it was familiar with, but not accustomed too.
In fact, it only happened just twice in their previous 26 games.
And on both occasions what happened?
The Hornets responded. Like they always do.
Facing its third deficit of the season after watching the District One champs jump out to a 1-0 lead at the end of the first quarter, the nation’s No.1 ranked team with the best coach in the business answered back like the champions that they are and arose with three unanswered goals to earn a hard-fought 3-1 win over the Pioneers and a date in the state championshp for the second consecutive year.
Sophomore Melea Weber, who saw her first action of the season in the Hornets 2-1 quarterfinal round win over Methaction on Saturday, scored a pair of goals in the middle quarters and the defense held strong as Emmaus punched its ticket to Saturday’s 3 p.m. championship game at the Zephyr Sports Complex at Whitehall High School to take on Lower Dauphin, which edged District 3 rival Central York 3-2 in overtime, in the other semifinal.
Emmaus (27-0 overall) will look to win its second straight title and 14th in program history as they take on the District 3 champs which has had its number in the state finals in recent history. Back in the 2013, the Falcons defeated the Hornets 2-1 to claim gold and the year prior, it was a 2-1 overtime win the state semifinals.
History aside, the Hornets will hope to reverse their fortunes against Lower Dauphin and they certainly look like a team poised to win back-to-back state titles.
There’s not much that fazes this group.
Pressure being the nation’s top team and remaining undefeated? No problem.
Trailing in a game? No problem.
This team has handled it all this season.
Emmaus found itself down early in the first quarter against the 22-1 Pioneers from the Central League as they gave up just their sixth goal of the season with 3:20 left in the opening quarter as senior Maggie Carson found the back of the cage.
After that, however, the Hornets responded as Weber scored the first of her two goals on the night less than four minutes into the second quarter to tie the game at 1-1 off an assist from junior Abby Burnett.
Emmaus would add a pair of goals after halftime and take the lead for good at 2-1 just four minutes into the the third quarter as junior Ava Zerfass scored her team-leading 53rd goal of the season. Weber then gave the Hornets some breathing room as she scored her second goal of the night eight minutes later to put away the victory.
Emmaus outshot Conestoga 10-5 in the game with the Pioneers holding a 7-4 advantage in penalty corners. In goal, sophomore Emma Cari picked up the win making four saves while her counterpart Alex Lepore made seven stops.
Conestoga, which suffered just its second loss the season, closed the books on a 22-2 campaign. Its only other loss came back on September 25 against nationally-ranked Oak Knoll, NJ 2-0.
To stay up to date with Emmaus field hockey, follow the team on social media: Twitter(@Emmaussports.com, @EHSFhockey) and Facebook (Emmaussports).
Em – 0-1-2-0 – 3
Sou – 1-0-0-0 – 1
Scoring:
Em – Melea Weber 2g, Ava Zerfass 1g, Abby Burnett 2a, Lexi Kociban 1a
Sou – Maggie Carson 1g, Melissa Hewitt 1a