Prior to the start of the season, it was expected that Emmaus and Nazareth were going to be the two best teams in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference.
Both squads came into the year with high expectations, and more than two-thirds of the way through their seasons, both have not disappointed as they’ve steamrolled through the competition.
Now the two can finally look ahead to their much-anticipated showdown on Wednesday night in Nazareth.
Head coach Chris Hain’s Emmaus squad, ranked No. 6 in the Pa. Soccer Coaches Association poll, tuned up for the battle of unbeatens with another dominant win on Monday night at Memorial Field rolling to an 8-0 shutout of Liberty on Senior Night.
The Hornets, who came into the match outscoring their opponents an incredible 87-2, scored four goals in each half while posting their 12th shutout of the season.
Senior Lizzie Bender led the offensive attack with two goals and three assists. Bender scored the game’s first two goals in the 22nd and 26th minute.
Another season, Giuliana Meyer, had a pair of goals to go along with two assists, while classmate Autumn Scheuermann also scored in the victory, converting on a penalty kick in the 76th minute.
Junior Cecilia Albeck added two goals and freshman Brooke Evans also found the back of the net with her 18th goal of the season.
In goal, sophomore Zoe Reppert and freshman Morgan Betz each made one save.
Prior to the match, Emmaus honored their 10 seniors: Erynn Stephens, Lizzie Bender, Hannah Berk, Ella Daly, Sofia Isaksson, Makayla McGinnis, Giuliana Meyer, Sophia Shutkufski, Autumn Scheuermann and Blair Stephens.
Emmaus improved to 13-0 in the EPC and 14-0 overall with the victory. The Hornets will now prepare for their matchup against the Blue Eagles who are also unbeaten (12-0 EPC/14-0 overall). Nazareth defeated Emmaus twice last year, 2-1 in the regular-season and 3-1 in the District XI semifinals. The Hornets last win in the series came back in the 2023 season, 2-1.
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Emmaus 8, Liberty 0
Lib – 0-0 – 0
Em – 4-4 – 8
Scoring:
Em – Lizzie Bender (assist Brooke Evans)
Em – Bender (assist Giulana Meyer)
Em – Evans (assist Ella Scharper)
Em – Cecilia Albeck (assist Bender)
Em – Meyer (assist Bender)
Em – Meyer (assist Bender)
Em – Albeck (assist Meyer)
Em – Autumn Scheuermann