It’s not often in sports – on any level, no matter what the sport – will a coach say how great a player, or their team performed on a given night.
Emmaus girls’ lacrosse coach Roxann Betz was more than happy to use the ‘G’ word when describing the overall play of her team’s performance over a quality Nazareth team on a chilly Tuesday night at home at Memorial Field.
“We definitely improved on areas that we’ve been focusing on,” said Betz, the Hornets seventh-year head coach.
“Our offense moved the ball extremely well and remained patient. Our entire defense did well, and we also had outstanding play at the draw controls.”
“The girls looked great tonight.”
With eight different players figuring into the scoring and a lockdown defense that held the Blue Eagles to their second lowest offensive output of the season, Emmaus was able to put together its best effort to date in a dominating 20-8 win.
Senior Brooke Peterson led the Hornets offense with a career-high six goals, while classmate Abby DiComes matched her career-high for points in a game with nine on four goals to go along with five assists for Emmaus, which put up a season-high for goals in a game.
Junior Rylie Poll also had a big night with a seven-point effort (3 goals/4 assists), while classmate Sarah Palazzo had career-best three goals in the victory.
In goal, starter junior Devin O’Neil was credited with four saves, while freshman Kate Rainford came in the second half and made three stops.
Defensively, after giving up four goals in the first quarter, the Hornets allowed just a combined four over the final three quarters.
Betz was quick to point out the play of her entire defensive unit led by seniors Veronica McGraw, Mattie China, and McKenzie Schuler, juniors Paige Shickel, Sarah Gross and Abbey Thomas and sophomore Madison Lenig.
Poll, Isaksson and Lenig also were recognized for their outstanding efforts on draw controls.
Nazareth was led by sophomore Keely Kershner who had a hat trick. Another sophomore, Morgan Koch, also added a pair of goals for the Blue Eagles, who dropped to 4-2 in the EPC and 8-2 overall.
Emmaus will return to action Thursday at 5:30 p.m. when they travel to BASD Stadium to take on Liberty.
To stay up to date on Emmaus sports, follow on ‘X’ @Emmaussports and like Emmaus sports on facebook.
Emmaus 20, Nazareth 8
Naz – 4-2-0-2 – 8
Em – 5-7-6-2 – 20
Scoring:
Naz – Keely Keishner 3g, Morgan Koch 2g, Ashley Stouffer 1g, Kerington Smith 1g, Mia Pulliam 1g, Allison Aroche-Pelaez 9 saves
Em – Brooke Peterson 6g, Abby DiComes 4g/5a, Rylie Poll 3g/4a, Sarah Gross 3g, Sofia Isaksson 2a, Taylor Younker 2g, Kate Newhard 1g, Kenna Guzick 1g, Devin O’Neil 4 saves, Kate Rainford 3 saves.