Field Hockey – Lucky 13? Hornets aim for first state title in four years today as they take on District 3 champ Central Dauphin in championship game. PREVIEW:

Matchup: District 11 champ Emmaus (15-0) vs District 3 champ Central Dauphin (15-1)


When/Where: Saturday 3 pm/Zephyr Sports Complex, Whitehall HS


What’s on the line: The PIAA Class 3A State Championship


Coverage: Twitter (@Emmaussports.com); Facebook (Emmaus field hockey)


How they got here: Emmaus defeated Honesdale 11-0 and CB East 1-0; Central Dauphin defeated Pine Richland 5-0


Coaches: Emmaus – Sue Butz Stavin (45th season, 986-82-35); Central Dauphin – Alicia Pronick


Probable starters: Emmaus – Sr. Annika Herbine (33 goals/27 assists), Soph. Rachel Herbine (27g/17a), Jr. Brooke Mancini (2a), Sr. Olivia Chase (4g/1a), Sr. Maddie Bruns (6g/4a), Sr. Mackenzie Bruns (3g/6a), Soph. Abby Burnett (5g/15a), Jr. Kyleigh Faust (7g), Jr. Alexis Kociban (25g/20a), Jr. Jenna Villeneuve (5g/6a), Sr Bailey Tietz (12 shutouts)


Central Dauphin key players – Sr. F Hope Rose (86 goals, 231 career, Maryland commit), Sr. D Emmy Tran (Michigan), Sr MF Bella Culp (Bloomsburg), Jr. GK Kerisa Hill, Sr MF Hannah Guarante (Bucknell), So. F Maya Williams, Sr. D Grace DeAngelo, Sr. D Emily Arnold

NOTES: Emmaus and Central Dauphin are meeting for the first time in states since 2012 when the Hornets defeated the Rams 2-0 in the quarterfinals …..Emmaus is aiming for its 13th state title in program history. The Hornets last won the title in 2016 and 2015 defeating Palmyra in both years. In 2013, they finished runner-up …Central Dauphin last appeared in states a year ago and as the fourth place team from District 3 upset District 1 champ Downingtown West 3-2 in OT in the opening round before falling to eventual state champ Wilson 1-0 in the quarterfinals ….Central Dauphin was the No.2 seed in District 3 and won its first district title with a 2-1 overtime win over rival and top seed Lower Dauphin …The Rams lone loss of the season came in their season-opener to Hershey by a 7-3 score