Emmaus 3, Nazareth 1 (District XI Quarterfinals)
RECAP – A two-week layoff hardly had any effect on Emmaus’ quest to advance to the next round of the District XI Class 4A playoffs.
Using a pair of goals from senior co-captain Maddie Fey and a solo score from junior Lindsay Phillips, the Hornets dominated Nazareth after a scoreless tie at the break scoring three goals on their way to a 3-1 win over the Blue Eagles on a cold and chilly Thursday night at Memorial Field.
Emmaus, the No. 4 seed, improved to 11-5-2 overall after defeating the Blue Eagles for the second time in the last three weeks. More importantly, the victory advances head coach Sarah Oswald’s team into a semifinal round matchup next Tuesday against arch-rival Parkland, the No. 1 overall seed, which blanked eighth-seeded Liberty 3-0.
Emmaus and Parkland will be meeting for the third time this season with each team winning on its home field. The two teams also met in last year’s District XI final with the Trojans prevailing 2-1 in double-overtime. Parkland has won the last three district championships.
In tonight’s win over Nazareth, the Hornets had jumped out to a 1-0 lead as Fey scored the first of her two goals in the 48th minute.
Less than four minutes later, junior Lindsay Phillips provided Emmaus with an insurance goal as she found the back of the net with her third goal of the season to to make it 2-0 lead.
Nazareth, which was coming off an impressive run in reaching the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference championship game, was able to cut the Hornets lead to 2-1 as senior Allison Hoff converted a penalty kick in the 71st minute, but Emmaus quickly responded less than five minutes later as Fey scored her second goal of the game and fourth of the season off a crossing pass from teammate senior Kellie Reith.
Both teams each had seven shots on goal in the contest with the Hornets holding a 6-2 advantage in corners. Emmaus junior Alexa Ryan was outstanding in goal coming up with a number of key saves. Her counterpart, senior Caitlyn Lazzarini, was credited with four saves.
Na – 0 – 1 – 1
Em – 0 – 3 – 3
Na goal – Allison Hoff (71′)
Em goals – Maddie Fey (48′), Lindsay Phillips (52′), Fey (76′)
Em assists – Kellie Reith
Em saves – Alexa Ryan 7