Sue Butz-Stavin has been coaching field hockey at Emmaus for a very, very long time.
Forty-eight (48) years to be exact.
During her time, she’s won over 1,000 games, including leading the Hornets to an incredbile 34 straight District XI championships and 14 PIAA State titles.
She knows the importance of competition and she’s never been one to shy away from it.
Heading into this season, the longtime coach put together arguably one of the best non-league schedules in recent history and she did it purposely to test her team for what lies ahead in the post-season.
Of course that’s where her program expects to be year after year, competing for state championships.
After playing five outstanding opponents, Butz-Stavin has to feel pretty good about where her team is at it prepares for yet another run at a EPC, District XI and PIAA State title.
Yesterday afternoon on a rainy start and then a sun-splashed ending on Senior Day at Memorial Field, Emmaus played its final non-league game of regular-season and delivered arguably one of their best games from start to finish as they rolled to a suprisingly easy 4-1 win over a Penn Manor team which entered the game with just one loss and the top-ranked team in the hot bed for field hockey, District 3.
Emmaus came out from the opening whistle and established who was the better team in this matchup, jumping out to a 2-0 lead after one quarter. The lead great to 3-0 at the halftime break and 4-0 at the end of the third quarter before Penn Manor averted the shutout with a fourth quarter goal.
The Hornets were very efficient in the first half as they scored three goals on just six shots.
“I’m just happy with how we presented ourselves on the field today,” said a pleased Butz-Stavin following the win. “It’s a great win for the seniors. I thought we did some things well. I’m happy how we worked together as a group today.
“Playing a team like Penn Manor is a great non-league game for us,” she added. “It prepares us for post-season play and this is what’s going to be happening down the road. Of course we need to get through our league and districts, but once you get into states these are the type of teams we are going to see. They are coming out District 3 which has been the dominant district.”
The victory was the ninth straight for the Hornets who improved to 16-1 overall. It was also the fourth win in five contests against a strong non-league schedule that was highlighted with wins over Gwynedd Mercy (3-2 OT), Downingtown West (3-2) and EPC foe Easton (2-1). The lone loss came at national power Oak Knoll, NJ (2-1).
Six different players registered a point in the win for Emmaus, which was meeting Penn Manor for the first time since the PIAA semifinals in 2016.
Senior Melea Weber continued her torrid scoring with her 48th goal of the season to go along with her team-leading 20th assist, while junior Emmy Horner also added a goal, her 13th of the season, to go along with her 12th assist.
Freshman Gracie Huffer got the scoring started less than four minutes into the game with her third goal of the year and senior Autumn Held closed out the scoring with her eighth goal.
Penn Manor’s lone score of the game came early in the fourth quarter when senior Isabelle Thatcher put in a rebound shot. The Comets, who were coming off their first loss of the week on Tuesday to Warwick (5-3) dropped to 11-2-1 on the season. Penn Manor is just the fifth team this season to score against Emmaus.
The Hornets dominated Penn Manor not only on the scoreboard but statistically, outshooting the Comets 12-2 and 6-0 in penalty corners. In goal, senior Emma Cari made one save for Emmaus, while her counterpart junior Samantha Shaw, made three stops.
Prior to the game, Emmaus honored its senior class of 11 student-athletes: Adianna Alvarado, Emma Cari, Autumn Held, Cyan Kvacky, Hailey Kvacky, Sage Pilarski, Jordyn Poll, Abby Romano, Sarah Schaffer, Melea Weber and Hailey Cook who passed away in June. Hailey’s parents, David and Mary Cook, were in attendance in honor of their daughter.
“It’s a large senior group,” said Butz-Stavin. “They came in the year of COVID so it was a year that we had to adapt to because practices were limited. The girls have been very supportive of each other and friends on and off the field. They’ve worked hard and most of them have picked a college of their choice and they are all great academically as well.
“I’m sure some them were playing with heavy hearts today keeping Hailey in their thoughts and using her courage and her fight to drive them.”
Emmaus will return to action on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. as they host rival Parkland in their regular-season finale. The game will be carried LIVE on The Eastern Pa. Sports Network beginning with the pregame show at 6:10 p.m.
To stay up to date on Emmaus field hockey, follow @Emmausports.com on Twitter and like Emmaus field hockey on facebook.
Emmaus 4, Penn Manor 1
PM – 0-0-0-1 – 1
Em – 2-1-1-0 – 4
Scoring:
Em – Gracie Huffer 1g, Emmy Horner 1g/1a, Melea Weber 1g/1a, Autumn Held 1g, Haley Kvacky 1a, Sharlise Solano 1a, Emma Cari 1 save
PM – Isabelle Thatcher 1g, Chloe Hook 1a, Samantha Shaw 3 saves