Sue Butz-Stavin said that her team is starting to play some of its best field hockey of the season.
That’s scary news for the rest of District XI and other opponents around the state.
Emmaus, which has amassed 163 goals on the season while only allowing eight, put together one of its best overall games of the season in Thursday night’s Eastern Pennsylvania Conference championship game as they scored goals in all four quarters while posting yet another shutout in rolling to a 4-0 win over Easton at Bethlehem Area School District Stadium.
It was the 11th straight league title and 43rd overall for the Hornets who improved to 20-1 on the season.
“I’m not doing the numbers anymore. I’m just here to enjoy the moment with the girls,” said Butz-Stavin following her team receiving their gold medals.
“I think we are improving as we go through the tournament, and I believe we are playing our best field hockey of the season right now. We are doing all of the little things better, not turning the ball over and it just seems like we have a better sense of where our teammates are out on the field and where we are going to move the ball.
Emmaus certainly did a good job of that against a Red Rovers team who they defeated for the third consecutive year in the finals.
Sophomore Marissa Gigliotti shined on the big stage in leading the offensive attack as she scored a pair of goals – Nos. 18 and 19 on the season — for the Hornets who also beat Easton in the season-opener 5-0 back in late August.
“It feels awesome to score and be a part of the team,” said Gigliotti, who is the team’s third leading goal scorer. “We have worked really hard this season for this and I’m just happy we did it.”
“The girl has quick hands, and she has very good reaction,” said Butz-Stavin of the diminutive Gigliotti. “She’s playing her heart out and giving her best. She pays attention to little details on the field, and she’s really complimented all the rest of the attackers.”
Junior Madi Lenig also had a goal and an assist in the win, while classmate Gracie Huffer scored the only goal the Hornets would need on the night tallying her team-leading 23rd of the season with a little over a minute to go in the first quarter giving Emmaus a 1-0 lead.
Defensively, the Hornets were once again stout posting their 16th shutout of the season.
“They are holding their own,” said Butz-Stavin of her unit which didn’t allow a goal in three playoff games. “They are taking the space away, knowing who their marks are and trying to be patient defensively; trying not to get overly aggressive and give up too many corners. I’m really proud of how they’ve been very discipline.”
Butz-Stavin complimented the play of senior Morgann Orobono, who was recently named the league’s MVP, classmate Sharlise Solano, Lenig, seniors Kaitlyn Carter, Avery Burnett who just returned from an injury, sophomore Riley Povilaitis and junior goalie Emily Romano.
Emmaus led 17-3 on shots with Easton holding a slight 7-6 advantage in penalty corners. Romano was credited with three saves for the Hornets, while her counterpart junior Evelyn Burnes was busy stopping 13 shots.
Emmaus now turns its attention towards the upcoming District XI Class 3A playoffs, which get underway on Thursday, October 23. The Hornets will be the top seed and open up the tournament hosting Freedom at 5 p.m. Emmaus is aiming for its incredible 37th consecutive title.
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Emmaus 4, Easton 0
Ea – 0-0-0-0 – 0
Em – 1-1-1-1 – 4
Scoring:
Em – Gracie Huffer (assist Madi Lenig)
Em – Marissa Gigliotti (assist Ella Horner)
Em – Gigliotti
Em – Lenig (assist Sharlise Solano)
SOG – Ea 3, Em 17
PCs – Ea 7, Em 6
Saves – Ea (Evelyn Burnes 13), Em (Emily Romano 3)