Girls Lacrosse – After reaching EPC title game a year ago, hungry Hornets now focused on next goal: winning a District XI championship. SEASON PREVIEW:

Head coach – Roxann Betz (6th season)

Assistants – Julie Williams, Sean Poll, Ryan Fatzinger, Destanee Watkins

Last year –  18-3 overall (9-1 EPC). Reached EPC Championship – lost to Easton 10-5, District XI semis – lost to Freedom 9-8

Losses to graduation – Attack Ally Shaffer (19 goals/53 assists, 1st Team EPC), Def. Nesiah Bertram (1st Team EPC), GK Ellie Ervin (2nd Team EPC), Attack Rebekah Brosky, Def. Oliva Chase, 

Returnees – Sr. Mikayla Viola (24g/6a, 2nd Team EPC), Sr. Julia Cote (82g/18a, 1st Team EPC), Sr. Marybeth Smith (33g/10a, 1st Team EPC), Sr. Kam Watkins (7g/2a), Jr. Emily Hollinger (64g/17a), soph. Jordyn Poll (26g/9a, 2nd Team EPC), Sr. Sophia Candy, Sr. Alyssa Brader, Sr. Paige Peterson, Sr. Merry Shields, Sr. Emily Steinert

Newcomers – Soph. Bri McClain, Soph. Olivia Schmidt, Jr. Hannah Schneider, Soph. Alani Shotwell, soph. Melea Weber, Sr. Maya D’Allesandro, 

Follow the team on social media: Twitter (@Emmaussports.com), Facebook (Emmaus Girls Lacrosse)

EPC top challengers – Easton, Freedom, Parkland

Coach Betz – “We did lose a good group of seniors to graduation but we have such a core group of girls returning to step into those positions as leaders and I think we will be even stronger this year. We have a lot of returning starters, all different age groups from our sophomores all the way up to our seniors. It’s a good core group of girls. Our defense is definitely our strong suit and we have a lot of talent on the attack and that makes us a big threat. We also have significant depth this year, too. We are going to fight for that championship this year.”