Recap >> For the second time this season, the Emmaus field hockey team found itself in an unfamiliar position — trailing to its opponent.
For the second time, it didn’t matter.
Not when your’re the best program in the land.
With conditions unfavorable for both teams playing in a steady rain throughout on the turf at Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School, the nation’s No.1 ranked team once again didn’t let the weather – or the opponent – stop them as they went on the road and came away with a hard-fought 3-2 win in overtime against the Monarchs, the PIAA Class 2A state runners-up.
Junior Melea Weber, who had scored the game-winning goal in Emmaus’ 4-2 win over nationally-ranked Oak Knoll, NJ on Saturday, was once again in the right spot at the right time as her reverse flick shot off an assist from senior Rachel Herbine in the extra-session proved to be the difference as the Hornets celebrated their first overtime win of the season.
With the victory, Emmaus remained unbeaten on the season as they improved to 16-0 overall. Gwynedd-Mercy dropped to 8-3-1 with the loss.
The Hornets had trailed for only the second time all season as Ava Huntley had given Gwynedd Mercy a 2-1 lead early in the fourth quarter. But Emmaus responded on senior Abby Burnett’s 21st goal of the season forcing the 7v7 in overtime.
Sophomore Autum Kernechel opened up the scoring in the first quarter with her fourth goal of the season before senior Sydney Mandato, a University of Pennsylvania commit, had tied the game at 1-1 heading to halftime.
For just the second time all season, the Hornets lost the statistical battle as Gwynedd Mercy held a slight edge in both shots on goal (15-13) and penalty corners (11-10).
Junior Emma Cari picked up the win in goal for Emmaus making 13 stops. Lilly Sweeney, an Ohio St. commit, had 10 saves for Gwynedd Mercy.
Emmaus will return to action at 10 a.m. on Saturday as they travel to Pocono Mountain East.
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Emmaus 3, Gwynedd Mercy 2 (OT)
Em – 1-0-0-1 -1- 3
GM – 0-1-0-1 -0 – 2
Scoring:
Em – Autum Kernechel (assist Rachel Herbine)
GM – Sydney Mandato (assist Ava Huntley)
GM – Huntley (assist Audrey Beck)
Em – Abby Burnett (assist Autumn Held)
Em – Melea Weber (assist Herbine)