Field Hockey – Hornets get battle from District One’s Souderton in state opener before pulling away late for 4-1 victory

RECAP >> Being undefeated and looking to defend their state championship from a year ago, Emmaus always knows it’s going to get the opponent’s best effort.

And that was certainly the case last night for head coach Sue Butz-Stavin’s squad at home in the opening round of the PIAA Class 3A State Tournament against Souderton.

The Indians from the Suburban One Conference came to Memorial Field with just two losses on the season and had a 17-game win streak before being knocked off in the second round of the District One playoffs by Garnet Valley 3-1. Add in the fact that Souderton was competing in states for the third time in the last four years with an experienced group of players, and you figured Emmaus was going to have its hands full for most of the game.

And they did, as the visitors had upset on their mind after pulling to within 2-1 of the Hornets after three quarters of action.

But Emmaus, as they usually do against opponents, eventually wore down the fifth-place team from District One in the in the fourth and final quarter as they scored a pair of goals and pulled away for a hard-fought 4-1 victory.

Using balanced scoring attack with four different players scoring goals, the Hornets improved to 25-0 overall on the season and earned a date in Saturday’s quarterfinal round against Methacton, the fourth-place entry from District One which went on the road and knocked off District 2 champ Hazleton 3-0. The site and time for that game will be announced on Wednesday.

Junior Abby Burnett scored her 26th goal of the season and senior Lexi Kociban her 17th in the final quarter for Emmaus as Souderton had gotten within a goal with five minutes left in the third on University of Virginia commit senior Lauren Kenah’s goal. It was just the fifth allowed all season for the Hornets who had posted 20 shutouts.

Emmaus never trailed in the game, but led just 1-0 at the half on senior Kyleigh Faust’s penalty stroke, her 13th goal of the season. Junior Ava Zerfass then made it 2-0 early in the third quarter with a beautiful back-handed shot for her team-leading 52nd goal off an assist from classmate Rachel Herbine.

In the game, the Hornets outshot Souderton 15-4 and held a 9-1 advantage in penalty corners. Sophomore Emma Cari, making her first start in a state game, picked up the win in goal for Emmaus making three saves. Her counterpart, seniorTegan Farina, was credited with 10 stops.

Souderton ended its season with a 20-3 overall record.

To stay up to date with Emmaus field hockey, follow the team on social media: Twitter(@Emmaussports.com, @EHSFhockey) and Facebook (Emmaussports).

Emmaus 4, Souderton 1

Soud – 0-0-1-0 – 1

Em – 0-1-1-2 – 4

Scoring:

Soud – Lauren Kenah

Em – Kyleigh Faust 1g/1a, Ava Zerfass 1g, Abby Burnett 1g/1a, Lexi Kociban 1g, Rachel Herbine 1a, Sarah Schaffer 1a, Jenna Villeneuve 1a