Field Hockey – Pursuit of state gold starts Saturday in a matchup of Hornets as Emmaus hosts District 2’s Honesdale in PIAA Tournament. PREVIEW:

Matchup: District 11 champ Emmaus (13-0) vs District 2 champ Honesdale (5-6-2)


When/Where: 1 p.m. Saturday/Memorial Field


What’s on the line: A berth in the PIAA state semifinals on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. @ District 1 champ CB East

Coverage: Twitter (@Emmaussports.com)


How they got here: Emmaus defeated Easton 7-1 in the District XI championship; Honesdale defeated Hazleton 3-2 in the District II final


Coaches: Emmaus – Sue Butz Stavin (45th season); Honesdale – Becca Maciejewski


Probable starters: Emmaus – Sr. Annika Herbine (31 goals/21 assists), Soph. Rachel Herbine (23g/18a), Jr. Brooke Mancini, Sr. Olivia Chase, Sr. Maddie Bruns (6g/4a), Sr. Mackenzie Bruns, Soph. Abby Burnett (3g/13a), Jr. Kyleigh Faust, Jr. Alexis Kociban (23g/19a), Jr. Jenna Villeneuve, Sr Bailey Tietz (10 shutouts). Subs: Soph. Ava Zerfass (4g/8a), Fr. Jordyn Poll


Honesdale key players – Sr. F/Def. Grace Maxson, Sr. Def. Sarah Meyer, Jr. MF/Def. Katy Corcoran, Fr. F/MF Claire Campen, Jr GK Nicole Miszler, Fr. F/MF Rozalyn Mikulak, Fr. MF/Def. Rozlyn Maciejewski


NOTES: Fresh off winning its 32nd straight District XI Title, the Hornets focus now turns towards the state playoffs where they’ve reached the semifinals the last three years, but haven’t gotten over the hump since winning gold in 2016 with a 5-1 win over Palmyra . Emmaus also beat Palmyra in 2015 in the title game 1-0 in overtime …. The Hornets have outscored their opponents by an incredible 122-3 margin ….Emmaus is ranked No.4 in the country by topofthecircle.com …..

Honesdale was the No.2 seed in the District 2 playoffs and upset top-seeded Hazleton in the title game in overtime. Freshman Rozalyn Mikulak scored the game-winner with less than five minutes left. It was the first district title in program history. Coach Maciejewski was quoted in the Citizens Voice: ““It was the plan from Day 1 from this group. I have a very special group of seniors and a very talented group of freshmen. When I think about combining the two of those, and then you got to see their chemistry build the first two weeks, this was a realistic goal for us.”