The last time the Emmaus field hockey team tasted defeat was 364 days ago.
That came in a 2-1 overtime loss at home at Memorial Field vs perennial District One power Downingtown West.
When the two teams renewed their annual rivalry yesterday morning on the Whippets home field, head coach Sue Butz-Stavin’s remembered that loss and used it as motivation.
Behind a goal and an assist from Marissa Gigliotti, the No. 2 nationally ranked Hornets got their payback they were looking for as they kept their perfect record intact with a similar 2-1 score.
Gigliotti, a junior, assisted on her team’s first goal of the game in the third quarter from sophomore Elin Rainford, and then later in the quarter, wound up scoring what proved to be the game-winner as Emmaus improved to 14-0 overall on the season. They also extended their win streak to 26 straight games dating back to last season’s loss to Downingtown West.
The Whippets, who entered the contest with just one loss on the season (8-1-1), were able to avoid the shutout on junior Nina Ryan’s goal in the fourth quarter, but that would be the closest they would get.
Emmaus outshot Downingtown West 13-7 and held a 5-3 advantage in penalty corners. In goal, senior Emily Romano picked up the win making four saves, while her counterpart, senior Elle Whitton, made five stops.
The Hornets will return to action on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. as they host Bethlehem Catholic on Mentor Night.
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Emmaus 2, Downingtown West 1
Em – 0-0-2-0 – 2
DTW – 0-0-0-1 – 1
Scoring:
Em – Elin Rainford (assist Marissa Gigliotti, Sadie Nawarynski & Gracie Huffer)
Em – Gigliotti (assist Madi Lenig)
DTW – Nina Ryan (assist Aimee van Renesse van Dulvenbode)
Stats:
Shots – Em 13, DTW 7
Penalty corners – Em 5, DTW 3
Saves – Em (Emily Romano 4), DTW (Elle Whitton 5)
PHOTOS – Courtesy of Nicholas Romano
#6 – Elin Rainford
#30 – Emily Romano goalie