Field Hockey – Defending state champs well positioned for another title run in what will be a historic year for coach Butz-Stavin and the program. SEASON PREVIEW

Seniors Kyleigh Faust (left) and Jenna Villeneuve (right) are two key pieces to a strong backline for Emmaus.

Coach – Sue Butz-Stavin (46th year, 987-82-35)

Assistants – Allison Haas, Kristin Boyer, Laree Beans, Allie Mikelson, Lisa Gaumer

Last year – 8-0 EPC/16-0 overall. District XI & PIAA State 3A champs (13th overall)

Losses to graduation –  MF Annika Herbine (34 goals/27 assists, EPC MVP), GK Bailey Tietz (13 shutouts, 92% save, 2nd Team EPC), MF Mackenzie Bruns (3g/6a), Back Maddie Bruns (6g/4a), MF Olivia Chase (4g/1a)

Returnees –  Jr. F Rachel Herbine (28g/17a, 1st Team EPC), Sr. F/M Lexi Kociban (25g/20a), Sr. Back Kyleigh Faust, Sr. Back Brooke Mancini, Sr. MF Abigail O’Donnell, Sr. HB Jenna Villeneuve (5g/8a), Sr. B Morgan Suppes, Sr. F Maddie Huffer, Jr. MF Abby Burnett (5g/16a), Jr. F/M Ava Zerfass (5g/8a), Sr. HB Emily Buss, Sr. HB Tatyanna Lainez

Newcomers: Soph. GK Emma Cari, Jr. GK Madison Shelton, Soph. B Emmy Condrack, Soph. F Hailey Cook, Soph. M/HB Autumn Held, Soph. F Haley Kvacky, Soph. B/HB Sage Pilarski, Soph. B Jordyn Poll, Soph. B Sarah Schaffer, Fr. M/F Autumn Kernechel, Fr. MF Lauren Kushma

Season-opener: September 4 vs PM East, Away 10 am

Follow the team on social media: Twitter (@Emmaussports.com, @EHSFhockey)  Facebook (Emmaussports)

Senior Kyleigh Faust: “I’m excited for the season. We’re a great team playing for each other and our focus is just going to be game by game. I feel our backline should be really strong with myself and Jenna back there along with a couple of new players. We communicate so well together and we’re just a strong force.”

Senior Jenna Villeneuve: “We are a really close team and I think we’re going to do pretty well this year. Like Kyleigh said, it’s a one game at time approach and we’re not thinking about the fact that we won states last year. We did lose a number of key players to graduation off of that team, but I do think we will have players that will step up this season and fill in those roles.”