One goal games have been commonplace with the Emmaus girls lacrosse team this season.
Heading into their District XI 3A quarterfinal round matchup last night at home at Memorial Field against Freedom, the Hornets had been involved in six games decided by one goal going 3-3.
With their season on the line and a berth in the semifinals on the line, head coach Roxann Betz’s squad got all they handle – and then some – from the Patriots in a back-and-forth affair. But in the end, Emmaus was able to survive as they came away with yet another one goal victory, this time coming out on the right end of a 12-11 victory.
Senior Rylie Poll scored what proved to be the game-winner in the fourth quarter, as the fourth-seeded Hornets defeated fifth-seeded Freedom for the second time this season to advance to Monday’s semifinal at 7 p.m. at Northampton opposite top seed Nazareth, which had a first-round bye after winning the EPC championship.
Poll recorded her fourth five goal performance of the season to lead Emmaus, which improved to 12-7 on the season. The Hornets had entered play dropping four of their last five games, including three one-goal defeats.
Senior Kathyrn Newhard also had a big performance in the win with a five-point effort (2 goals/3 assists), while sophomore Avery Aquino added two goals and senior Taylor Younker one goal and an assist for Emmaus which never trailed in the game.
Freedom was led by senior Karee Vandever who scored a game-high six goals. Classmate Jenelle Karabinus and junior Saige Carter each added two goals and an assist for the Patriots who ended their year at 8-9.
Up next for Emmaus will be a third meeting against Nazareth. The Hornets are winless against the Blue Eagles, falling 13-7 in the EPC semis and 11-4 in the regular season.
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Emmaus 12, Freedom 11
Fr – 2-4-3-2 – 11
Em – 4-4-3-1 – 12
Scoring:
Fr – Karee Vandever 6g, Jenelle Karabinus 2g/1a, Saige Carter 2g/1a, Emma Mannino 1g, Ivy Avitable 1a,
Em – Rylie Poll 5g/1a, Kathryn Newhard 2g/3a, Avery Aquino 2g/1a, Taylor Younker 1g/1a, Sarah Gross 1g, Sarah Palazzo 1g, Ally Kusko 1a, Kate Rainford 7 saves