Field Hockey – Huffer scores hat trick, Hornets rally from early deficit to defeat Methacton – again – 3-1 to advance to the state semifinals for 15th straight season.

Gracie Huffer (24) and teammate Autum Kernechel celebrate a goal in yesterday's win over Methacton. Photo: Nicholas Romano.

Different season. Same result. On to the next round.

That’s been the scenario for Emmaus the past three years facing an old familiar foe in District One’s Methacton in the PIAA Class 3A State Tournament.

Same held true yesterday.

Despite facing an early one goal deficit, the Hornets were once again able to rally as they ended the Warriors season for the fourth consecutive season with a 3-1 victory on a picture perfect Saturday afternoon at Quarkertown High School.

Sophomore Gracie Huffer, the team’s second leading goal scorer, accounted for all of her team’s offense registering a hat trick for Emmaus, which advances to the state semifinals for the 15th consecutive season.

Awaiting the Hornets (25-1) on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Exeter High School will be District One champ Villa Maria who eliminated Manheim Township, 2-0.

The game will feature the two state champs in their respective classes from a year ago – – Emmaus in 3A and Villa Maria in 2A. The Eastern Pa. Sports Network will once again be providing LIVE coverage beginning at 5:45 p.m.

In yesterday’s win, the Hornets found themselves trailing for the second consecutive time this week. In their first-round matchup at home on Tuesday with Avon Grove, District One’s sixth-place team, Emmaus was able overcome a one-goal deficit and they did the same against the fifth-seeded Warriors, who had led 1-0 after junior Nicole Walsh scored with 9:19 left in the first quarter off of a penalty corner.

Huffer, who entered the game with 33 goals on the season, scored the first of her three goals just five minutes following Methacton’s score to tie the game at 1-1, and then early in the second, wound up with the game winner off a penalty corner to give Emmaus a 2-1 lead heading into the half. She would later add a big insurance goal in the fourth quarter to complete the hat trick.

In the game, the Hornets outshot the Warriors 20-9 and held a 12-7 advantage in penalty corners. In goal, junior Aiko Price picked up the win making nine saves, while her counterpart, junior Maddie McKenney, also had nine stops.

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Emmaus 3, Methacton 1

Em – 1-1-0-1 – 3

Meth – 1-0-0-0 – 1

Scoring:

Meth – Nicole Walsh (assist Lea DeWan), 9:19

Em – Gracie Huffer (assist Autum Kernechel), 4:16

Em – Huffer (assist Maddie Lenig),13:13

Em – Huffer (assist Lenig & Kernechel), 8:52

Stats:

SOG – Em 20, Meth 9

PC – Em 12, Meth 7

Saves – Em (Price 9), Meth (McKenney 9)