The much-anticipated matchup between two of the nation’s top field hockey teams lived up to its billing — and then some.
Emmaus, pre-season No. 2 ranked according to MAX Field Hockey, and Oak Knoll, NJ, the No. 4 ranked team, renewed their annual rivalry on a beautiful Saturday morning before a near-capacity crowd at Emmaus’ Memorial Field.
The large contingent of fans who were in attendance saw some intense, high-quality action in a game that featured a number of Division 1 players.
They also watched a player come off the bench and have a huge role for her team.
Sophomore Elin Rainford, a non-starter for head coach Sue Butz-Stavin’s Emmaus squad, provided a spark in arguably the biggest moment of her high school career as she scored a pair of goals – the first two of her varsity career – helping lead the Hornets to a hard-fought 3-2 win.
The victory keeps Emmaus unbeaten on the season (5-0), while Oak Knoll suffered its first loss (2-1). The Hornets also defeated the Royals for the third straight year and for the fourth time in the last five. Last year’s contest was a 3-2 win for Emmaus.
After a scoreless first period, Rainford gave her team a 1-0 lead with 2:58 left in the second quarter with her first career goal off an assist from senior Gracie Huffer, an Appalachian State commit.
Leading 1-0 at the break, Oak Knoll didn’t take long to find the equalizer as they scored just 50 seconds into the third quarter as junior Alex Sherman found the back of the cage.
Emmaus, however, would respond and regain the lead 11 minutes later as junior Ella Horner, an Ohio State pledge, scored off of a penalty corner to give the Hornets a 2-1 lead before Rainford made it 3-1 with a big insurance goal – her second which wound up being the game-winner.
Oak Knoll was able to get a late score with 48 seconds left in regulation to cut the Emmaus lead to 3-2 on senior Phoebe Laferriere’s score, but that would be the closest they would get.
Statistically, Oak Knoll outshot Emmaus 19-13 with the Royals holding a 11-4 advantage in penalty corners. In goal, senior Emily Romano was busy making 16 saves for the Hornets while her counterpart, junior Taylor Black, made six stops.
Emmaus will return to action on Monday as they host Nazareth in a key EPC matchup. The Blue Eagles are unbeaten on the season – 5-0 in the EPC and 6-0 overall.
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Emmaus 3, Oak Knoll 2
OK – 0-0-1-1 – 2
Em – 0-1-1-1 – 3
Scoring
Q2
Em – Elin Rainford (assist Gracie Huffer)
Q3
OK – Alex Sherman (assist Phoebe LaFerriere)
Em – Ella Horner (assist Ellie Fields & Riley Povilaitis)
Q4
Em – Elin Rainford (assist Horner)
OK – Phoebe LaFerriere (assist Sherman)
Stats
SOG – OK 19, Em 13
Saves – OK (Taylor Black, 6), Em (Emily Romano, 16)
Penalty corners – OK 11, Em 4