For as much as success as the Emmaus field hockey team has had in its long-storied history, trips to Exeter High School for state playoff games haven’t always been kind to head coach Sue-Butz Stavin’s squads.
In recent history, it’s often been the place where the Hornets have had their season — and hopes of reaching a state championship — ended.
Heading into their PIAA Class 3A state matchup on Tuesday night on a frigid and blustery evening, Emmaus had been winless in its last three semifinal appearances at Don Thomas Stadium.
A 3-1 loss to Downingtown West in 2017.
A 5-3 defeat to Hershey in 2018.
And a 2-1 heart-breaking overtime loss to Villa Maria Academy a season ago.
None of the past or recent history seemed to matter much to Riley Povilaitis, Emily Romano and this current Hornets squad.
All that mattered to them was the here and now.
And of course, earning a little bit of payback against the same team that ended their season a year ago.
Deadlocked in a 2-2 tie after regulation and with yet another overtime session coming against the District One champs, the Hornets finally got the revenge they were looking for as they stunned the Hurricane 3-2 to earn a return trip back to the state championship.
Povilaitis, a sophomore who had to sit the first two-and-a-half minutes of overtime due to being issued a card late in regulation, wound up scoring the game-winning goal with 4:27 showing on the clock as her crossing pass from a tough angle went off the stick of Villa Maria defender Mackenzie Cush and into the back of the cage as Emmaus celebrated the victory.
“You have high tide and low tide in a game, and we were up in this one and then the momentum shifted as they got two nice goals,” said Butz-Stavin, who picked up her 100th career coaching win in states. “We had a player in the box to start overtime and defensively we just had to hold them until we got Riley back in.
“Once she was able to return, it was nice to be at full strength, and we were able to squeak one in on the worst possible angle. A win is a win and I’m happy and proud of the kids.”
The victory advances the Hornets (26-1) back to the state finals at 3 p.m. on Saturday at Cumberland Valley High School where they will face District One runner-up Central Bucks West, who withstood a late rally to defeat Penn Manor 3-2. The game will be carried LIVE on The Eastern Pa. Sports Network beginning with coverage at 2:40 p.m.
Emmaus will be appearing in the championship for the first time in two years and for the fourth time in the last six years. The Hornets won it all back in 2023, ’21 and ’20 and will be aiming for the program’s 16 state title.
Povilaitis, who had a pair of goals in the team’s 4-1 quarterfinal round win over Avon Grove on Saturday, got the scoring started with her team-leading 27th goal of the season off a penalty corner to give the Hornets a 1-0 lead with 7:09 left in the first quarter.
That lead then grew to 2-0 with just 24.5 seconds left in the quarter as junior Gracie Huffer, an Appalachian University commit, found the back of the cage with her 26th goal of the season.
Villa Maria was held scoreless through the game’s first 19 minutes — thanks in large part to the stellar play of Romano in goal. The Hurricane had a number of shots on goal and eight penalty corner opportunities.
The Hurricane, who had outscored their two previous state opponents 8-1, finally broke the scoreless streak less than four minutes into the second quarter on the first of two goals from senior Caitlin Connell, who entered the game with an incredible 66 goals on the season.
Connell, a University of Virgina commit, then tied the game at 2-2 early in the fourth quarter sending the game to overtime where eventually Emmaus wound up winning in thrilling fashion.
Romano, who was coming off an outstanding effort, including a penalty stroke save in the quarterfinal round win, once again shined under the bright lights with arguably her best performance of the season and her career.
“She came up big and had some great saves,” said Butz-Stavin of her junior goalie who made 18 stops.
Overall, Villa Maria outshot Emmaus 21-13 in the game and held a 16-9 advantage in penalty corners.
The Hurricane ended their season at 22-3.
For Emmaus, it’s a return trip back to the finals with another opportunity to bring home yet another state championship.
“I’m super excited,” said Huffer. “I feel like my freshman year I didn’t really take it in so I’m excited to get back out there and see what we can do and try and get the win.”
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Emmaus 3, Villa Maria 2 OT
Em – 2-0-0-0-1 – 3
VM – 0-1-0-1-0- 2
Scoring:
Em – Riley Povilaitis (assist Ella Horner)
Em – Gracie Huffer (assist Avery Burnett)
VM – Caitlin Connell (assist Alexa Clark)
VM – Connell (assist Hadley Coupe)
EM – Riley Povilaitis
Stats:
SOG – Em 13, VM 21
Saves – Em (Emily Romano 18), VM (Catie Connolly 6)
PCs – Em 9, VM 16