RECAP >> If you thought there would be a chance that Emmaus head coach Sue Butz-Stavin would allow her team to overlook an opponent with a losing record, think again.
Not during the regular-season and certainly not during this post-season.
With an eye towards reaching the state finals for the first time since 2016, the Emmaus Green Hornets took care of business Saturday afternoon on their home turf at Memorial Field as they scored goals in every quarter in totally dominating District 2 champ Honesdale Hornets, which entered action with a sub-par 5-6-2 record.
Sophomore Rachel Herbine scored a game-high four goals to lead the scoring as Emmaus remained unbeaten on the season (14-0) while posting its 11 shutout. More importantly, the victory advances the Hornets to the Tuesday’s semifinal round at 2:30 p.m. where they will take on District 1 champ Central Bucks East on the Patriots home field.
This will mark the 10th straight season that Emmaus has reached the state semifinals. The Hornets and CB East are familiar with one another as the two hooked up in the state quarterfinals in 2018 with Emmaus prevailing in overtime 2-1.
This time, however, much more will be on the line as the winner advances to the state finals next Saturday at the Zephyr Sports Complex at Whitehall High School to take on either District 3 champ Central Dauphin or District 7 champ Pine Richland who meet in the other semifinal.
Senior Annika Herbine scored her team-leading 32nd and 33rd goals of the season and added a season-best six assists in the win. Sophomore Abby Burnett also had a pair of goals and three assists, while junior Alexis Kociban had two goals – her 24th and 25th of the season – to go along with two assists. Sophomore Ava Zerfass closed out the scoring with her fifth goal.
Emmaus held Honesdale without a shot on goal in the game outshooting the Hornets 33-0. Senior Bailey Tietz and freshman Emma Cari combined on the shutout. Junior Nicole Miszler played well in goal for Honesdale making 17 saves while under pressure during the entire game.
Honesdale ended its season with a 5-7-2 overall record after upsetting top-seeded Hazleton in the District 2 championship game.
To keep up to date with team, follow @Emmaussports.com on Twitter and ‘like’ Emmaus girls field hockey on facebook.
Emmaus 11, Honesdale 0
Honesdale – 0-0-0-0 – 0
Emmaus – 3-3-1-4 – 11
Scoring:
Q1
Em – Abby Burnett (from Annika Herbine & Jenna Villeneuve)
Em – Alexis Kociban (Annika Herbine & Villeneuve)
Em – Annika Herbine (Burnett & Ava Zerfass)
Q2
Em – Annika Herbine (Burnett)
Em – Rachel Herbine (Kociban & Annika Herbine)
Em – Rachel Herbine (Burnett)
Q3
Em – Rachel Herbine (Kociban & Annika Herbine)
Q4
Em – Kociban (Annika Herbine)
Em – Rachel Herbine (Annika Herbine)
Em – Zerfass (Annika Herbine & Villeneuve)
Em – Burnett (Annika Herbine & Madison Bruns)