RECAP >> The nation’s No.1 ranked team found itself in a battle for one half on Tuesday night at home at Memorial Field in the opening-round of the PIAA Class 3A State Tournament against upset-minded Methacton, the fifth-place entry from District One.
The Warriors, who had given Emmaus all they could handle a year ago in states in a 2-1 quarterfinal round loss, once again came ready to play as they battled back from an early one-goal deficit to tie the unbeaten Hornets 1-1 at the halftime break.
That, however, would be the closest Methacton would get the rest of the way as the Hornets completely dominated play in the second half.
Emmaus scored a pair of goals in the third quarter and added one more in the fourth as they outscored the visitors 3-0 after the halftime break on their way to a 4-1 victory, ending the Warriors season for the second consecutive year. The game was carried LIVE on www.easternpasportsnetwork.com.
The victory improved the Hornets to 24-0 overall and earned head coach Sue Butz Stavin’s team a quarterfinal round date on Saturday against Honesdale, the District 2 champ, which defeated Spring-Ford, the fourth-place team from District One, 5-4. The site and time will be announced on Wednesday. Emmaus and Honesdale met back in states in 2020 at Memorial Field with the Hornets rolling to an easy 11-0 victory.
Sophomore Autum Kernechel wound up scoring the game-winning goal in last night’s victory as she scored her seventh goal of the season with 5:30 left in the third quarter to break the 1-1 tie. Junior Melea Weber then added an insurance goal, her 35th, a little over three minutes later.
Senior Ava Zerfass scored her 25th goal of the season early in the fourth quarter to close out the scoring. In goal, junior Emma Cari picked up the victory making five saves and posting a shutout in the second half.
Emmaus outshot Methacton 14-6 in the game and the Hornets held a 9-5 advantage in penalty corners.
The Warriors closed the books on a 19-4 season.
To stay up to date on Emmaus sports, follow @Emmaussports.com on Twitter and like Emmaus field hockey on facebook.
Emmaus 4, Methacton 1
Me – 0-1-0-0 – 1
Em 1-0-2-1 – 4
Scoring:
Q1: Em – Abby Burnett (assist Ava Zerfass)
Q2: Me – Nicole Uebele (assist Elise DeWan)
Q3: Em – Autum Kernechel
Q3: Em – Melea Weber (assist Zerfass)
Q4: Em – Zerfass