In winning the program’s 15th PIAA state title a year ago, the Emmaus field hockey team nearly completed yet an undefeated season.
Only once in 27 games did head the Hornets experience defeat in that came in a 2-1 loss at New Jersey power Oak Knoll back on September 17, 2023.
On Saturday morning at Memorial Field when the two nationally ranked teams met again in another highly anticipated matchup, the Hornets took care of the only blemish on their resume from last year.
Scoring a goal in each of the first two quarters, Emmaus (#5 Pre-Season PA) never trailed and kept the Royals (#4 NJ) off the scoreboard in an entertaining 2-0 win for head coach Sue Butz-Stavin’s squad.
The only goal the Hornets would need came just :32 seconds into the match as sophomore Gracie Huffer scored her 12th goal of the season coming off an assist from classmate Sadie Nawarynski.
Nawarynski, the team’s leading goal scorer (18 goals), also figured into the second goal as she assisted senior Emmy Horner who found the back of the cage with her 12th goal.
The victory keeps Emmaus unbeaten on the season as they improved to 9-0, while Oak Knoll suffered its first loss dropping to 2-1. It was also the ninth shutout in as many games for the Hornets who have outscored their opponents 80-0.
Emmaus won despite losing the statistical battle as Oak Knoll outshot the hosts 10-3 and held a 4-2 advantage in penalty corners. In goal, junior Aiko Price picked up the win making eight saves. Junior Avery Burnett and freshman Riley Povilaitis each had one defensive save.
For Oak Knoll, junior goalie Kristen Shindle was credited with two saves.
Emmaus will return to action next week with a pair of road contests. On Monday, the Hornets will travel to Liberty at 4 p.m. followed by a non-league matchup at Abington Heights at 4:15 p.m. on Friday.
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Emmaus 2, Oak Knoll 0
OK – 0-0-0-0 – 0
Em – 1-1-0-0 – 2
Scoring:
1st Qtr:
Em – Gracie Huffer (assist Sadie Nawarynski)
2nd Qtr:
Em – Emmy Horner (assist Nawarynski)
Stats:
SOG – OK 10, Em 3
PC – OK 4, Em 2
Saves – OK (Shindle 2), Em (Price 8)