It’s not often this season that Emmaus has found itself in the situation that they were in last night taking on Easton in the District XI Class 3A championship at Catasauqua Middle School.
Trailing for only the third time all season, the Hornets were stunned early on as they watched the Red Rovers grab a 1-0 lead just :36 seconds into the game on Zoe Angelinas’ goal.
No worries, though, for Emmaus.
They’ve been in this situation before and responded.
That’s what champions do.
Playing inspired after the one-goal deficit, the Hornets responded to Easton’s score with six unanswered goals as they defeated the Red Rovers 6-1 in winning their incredible 36th straight championship.
Emmaus, which had defeated Easton in the EPC championship game just two weeks ago, 4-1, won its ninth straight game as they improved to 23-1 on the season. They also beat the Red Rovers for the third time this season and for the fourth time in the last six years in the district finals.
Five different players scored goals in the victory for head coach Sue Butz-Stavin’s team. Sophomore Gracie Huffer led the scoring with two goals and an assist, while two other sophomores, Madi Lenig and Sadie Nawarynski, each added one goal and one assist. Junior Addison Povilaitis and senior Autum Kernechel also added scores.
For the game, Emmaus outshot Easton 24-6 with the Hornets holding a 12-5 advantage in penalty corners. In goal, junior Aiko Price was credited with four saves for Emmaus, while Easton’s Olivia Heryla made 14 stops.
Up next for the Hornets will be the PIAA Class 3A State Tournament, which gets underway next Tuesday, November 5. The defending state champs will host the fifth-place team from District One, either Methacton or Avon Grove. The time of the game will be announced this weekend by the PIAA.
Easton dropped to 18-5-1 on the season with the loss. The Red Rovers also qualified for states and will host the District One third place team, either Downingtown West or Boyertown.
For the most complete coverage of Emmaus sports, follow on ‘X’ and like Emmaus sports on facebook.
Emmaus 6, Easton 1
Ea – 1-0-0-0 – 1
Em – 2-2-2-0 – 6
Scoring:
Ea – Zoe Angelinas
Em – Addison Povilaitis
Em – Gracie Huffer (assist Madi Lenig)
Em – Huffer (assist Sadie Nawarynski)
Em – Sadie Nawarynski (Huffer)
Em – Madi Lenig (assist Morgann Orobono)
Em – Kernechel (PS)
Stats:
SOG – Ea 6, Em 24
PCs – Ea 5, Em 12
Saves – Ea (Heryla, 14), Em (Price, 4)
Starters –
Ea – #4 Alison Clark, #6 Aubrey Krazer, #9 Zoe Angelinas, #12 Jillian Relvas, #13 Maddy Hynes, #14 Olivia Milia, #19 Ariana Deliso, #20 Abby Rinda, #25 Emily Materna, #26 Audrey Rinda, #96 Olivia Heryla
Em – #1 Madi Lenig, #5 Sadie Nawarynski, #6 Riley Povilaitis, #7 Autum Kernechel, #8 Morgann Orobono, #10 Addison Povilaitis, #14 Sharlise Solano, #16 Emmy Horner, #18 Aiko Price, #23 Avery Burnett, #24 Gracie Huffer