Wins at this time of the season are never easy.
Not even for a juggernaut program like head coach Sue Butz-Stavin’s Emmaus squad.
Despite outscoring its opponents 138-7 on the year, the Hornets have found themselves in their fair show of close games.
Five times this season in fact, Emmaus has been involved in one-goal victories and in four of those games they’ve come out on top.
Facing an upset-minded Nazareth team in Thursday night’s Eastern Pennsylania Conference semifinals at the Zephyr Sports Complex in Whitehall, the Hornets were once again involved in a one-score game. And once again, they were able to survive.
But know this, it wasn’t easy.
With Nazareth senior goalie Mackenzie Mann, a first team all-league performer, making an incredible 25 saves on the night and seemingly turning away shot after shot, the Blue Eagles were able to stay within striking distance of the Hornets.
The one shot, however, Mann was unable to save in the second quarter proved to be the difference as Emmaus once again punched its ticket to yet another league championship appearance.
Junior Emmy Horner was in the right place at the perfect time for the Hornets, putting in a rebound shot past Mann for her 17th goal of the season for the lone goal of the game in the second quarter, as Emmaus edged Nazareth 1-0.
The victory was the 12th straight for the Hornets who advance to Saturday’s 1 p.m. championship game back at Whitehall. Awaiting Emmaus will be rival Easton which edged Parkland 2-1 in the other semifinal.
Emmaus (19-1) has already beaten the Red Rovers twice this season (2-0 and 2-1) and will be aiming for their ninth straight league title. The Hornets also defeated Easton twice last year, including in the District XI finals 8-3 as Emmaus won their 34th straight title.
Emmaus, which defeated Nazareth twice last year, 9-0 in the regular-season and 7-0 in the EPC finals with Mann making 36 saves – dominated statistically, outshooting Nazareth 29-5 and 14-3 in penalty corners. In goal, senior Emma Cari posted her 15th shutout of the season.
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Emmaus 1, Nazareth 0
Naz – 0-0-0-0 – 0
Em – 0-1-0-0 – 1
Scoring:
Em – Emmy Horner
Stats:
SOG – Em 29, Naz 5
PC – Em 14, Naz 3
Saves – Mackenzie Mann (Naz) 25, Emma Cari (Em) 5