Field Hockey – The hunt for a 36th straight District XI Championship begins today for the Hornets with third matchup vs Liberty. PREVIEW:

Junior goalie Aiko Price has posted 18 shutouts on the season. Photo courtesy of Nathan Lewis.

Matchup: No. 8 seed Liberty (9-10 overall) vs No. 1 seed Emmaus (20-1)

When/Where: Thursday 4 p.m. @ Memorial Field

What’s on the line: Winner advances to the semis on October 29 vs winner No. 4 Parkland/No. 5 Stroudsburg

Coverage: ‘X’ @EHSFHockey

Coaches: Liberty – Jill Dorn; Emmaus – Sue Butz-Stavin (49th season)

Players to watch: Liberty – Sr. Def. Ava George, Jr. MF Julianna Zumas, Jr. F Ellis Corr

Emmaus – Sr. Autum Kernechel (33 goals/28 assists, EPC MVP), Sr. Emmy Horner (29g/25a, 1st Team EPC), Jr. Morgann Orobono (2nd Team EPC), Jr. Aiko Price (3rd Team EPC), Soph. Gracie Huffer (28g), Soph. Sadie Nawarynski (31g/15a), Soph. Madi Lenig (14g/20a)

GAME NOTES – Fresh-off winning its 10th straight EPC Championship with a 4-1 win over Easton, the Hornets now look to extend their incredible streak of winning District XI championships – 35 in a row – as they face Liberty for the third time this season. Emmaus has dominated the Hurricane in both matchups, winning 9-0 in the regular-season and 11-0 in the EPC playoffs …. The Hornets have outscored their opponents 161-6 on the season, which includes 18 shutouts. Their lone loss of the season came back on September 28, a 4-3 non-league defeat to District 3’s Penn Manor.

District XI 4A Playoffs (October 24)

No. 8 seed Liberty @ No. 1 seed Emmaus

No. 7 seed Whitehall @ No. 2 seed Nazareth

No. 6 seed Northampton @ No. 3 seed Easton

No. 5 seed Stroudsburg @ No. 4 seed Parkland

Semis – Tuesday, October 29 (Site/Time TBA)

Finals – Thursday, October 31 (Site/Time TBA)

(2 teams advance to states)