Sophomore Riley Povilaitis scored a pair of goals and sister, senior Addison, also found the back of the cage as Emmaus used a big second half to defeat Avon Grove 4-1 in Saturday’s PIAA Class 3A state quarterfinal round game played at Perkiomen Valley High School.
The victory advances the Hornets (25-1) back to the semifinals where they will face a familiar foe in District One champ Villa Maria, who rolled over Mechanicsburg 6-1. The game will be played at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Exeter High School and will be carried LIVE on The Eastern Pa. Sports Network beginning pregame coverage at 6:15 p.m. Villa Maria ended Emmaus’ season a year ago in the same round, 2-1 in overtime.
“It was a battle out there today,” said Emmaus head coach Sue Butz-Stavin post-game on The Eastern Pa. Sport Network’s LIVE coverage, “not only with the competition but the field. Avon Grove presented a different type of technique style, but I think our girls hung in there.
“The field was awfully slow, but we adapted and we were finally able to find the back of the cage. I’m really proud of the girls and their effort today and now we’re moving on to the semifinals.”
Emmaus, which had ended Avon Grove’s season a year ago in states 2-1, led by just a goal at the half on the first of two Riley Povilaitis scores, but then exploded for three second half goals to pull away for the victory.
Sophomore Ella Horner, who had a pair of goals in the Hornets 5-0 opening round win over Garnet Valley, tallied her 17th goal of the season to give Emmaus a 2-0 lead in the third quarter before the Red Devils answered just seconds later as Addison Dilienno scored to cut the Emmaus lead to 2-1.
The Hornets then put the game away with a pair of fourth quarter goals — one by Riley Povilaitis and the other by Addison.
In goal, junior Emily Romano shined with six saves in the game, including an incredible stop on O’Donnell’s penalty stroke in the second half.
“That was super,” said Butz-Stavin of Romano’s save. “In that situation as a goalie you have to watch the ball, and she just made a good reaction and a good save. She really stepped up on that stroke. It was a huge save for us and that kept the momentum to the end of the game.”
Overall, Emmaus outshot Avon Grove 16-7 in the game and 15-2 in penalty corners.
The Red Devils concluded their season at 23-2. Avon Grove was competing in the state tournament for the third consecutive season.
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Emmaus 4, Avon Grove 1
AG – 0-0-1-0 – 1
Em – 0-1-1-2 – 4
Scoring:
Em – Riley Povilaitis (assist Gracie Huffer)
Em – Ella Horner (assist Madi Lenig)
AG – Addison Diienno (assist Morgan O’Donnell)
Em – Riley Povilaitis (assist Morgann Orobono)
Em – Addison Povilaitis (assist Ella Horner)
Stats:
SOG – AG 7, Em 16
PCs – AG 2, Em 15
Saves – AG (Kylee Mellott 11), Em (Emily Romano 6)
Listen back to a replay of the game: https://easternpasportsnet1.mixlr.com/recordings/2946750