RECAP >> After capturing its first District XI Class 3A Championship since 2011 a year ago, the Emmaus girls’ lacrosse team was hoping to go back-to-back this season and win another title.
Unfortunately, they won’t get that chance.
Facing an Easton team that it had already defeated twice this season – once during the regular-season 17-4 and once in the EPC playoffs 12-9 – the third time proved much more challenging for head coach Roxann Betz’s squad as they were upset by the Red Rovers 9-8 in the semifinals held last night at Al Erdosy Stadium in Northampton.
The victory by Easton (14-6 overall) advances them to Thursday’s 7 p.m. championship game at Lehigh University where they’ll will face top-seeded Pleasant Valley, which defeated fourth-seeded Freedom 17-8 in the other semifinal.
For Emmaus, their season ends at 15-6 overall after they dropped three of their final four games.
“It was a well fought game to end the season for the team,” said Betz, the Hornets sixth-year coach. “We are proud of our efforts this year although we fell just short of our season goal of another district championship appearance.
“A big congrats go out to our five seniors and we are looking forward to following three of them in college lacrosse next year.”
In last night’s game, one of the best players to dawn an Emmaus uniform closed out a tremendous career as senior Emily Hollinger led all scorers with a game-high five goals. Hollinger will continue her collegiate career at Winthrop University.
Junior Bri McClain added a pair of goals in the loss for the Hornets, while classmate Jordyn Poll also added a goal and an assist. Between the pipes, junior goalie Alani Shotwell made five stops.
Easton had five different players score goals in the victory. Senior Madison Ibach led the way with a hat trick, while senior Reese Krieger and junior Jocelyn Morgan each scored two goals and an assist. Sophomore Karsen Hippert also had a three-point game (1g/2a) and in goal, senior Madison Manno was credited with five saves.
Last night’s game marked the final one in the high school careers of Emmaus’ five seniors — Natalie McKiernan, Emily Wassel, Emily Hollinger, Hannah Schneider and Evelyn McAllister.
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Easton 9, Emmaus 8
Ea – Madison Ibach 3g, Reese Krieger 2g/1a, Jocelyn Morgan 2g/1a, Karsen Hippert 1g/2a, TylerLong 1g/1a, Bianca Falcone 1a, Madison Manno 5 saves
Em – Emily Hollinger 5g, Bri McClain 2g, Jordyn Poll 1g/1a, Melea Weber 2 assists, Alani Shotwell 5 saves