Emmaus holds on to beat Methacton
Hornets remain unbeaten as they advance to semifinals
Any team that has ever won anything has had one of those moments — or two, or several — when it appeared that a championship did not look like a guarantee.
Emmaus had a few of those Saturday morning in its PIAA Class 3A field hockey quarterfinal game at Exeter Township High School. The Green Hornets had a two-goal lead at halftime and still led by that margin after three quarters, despite losing control of play.
Methacton scored early in the fourth quarter and had several chances to tie it, but Emmaus held on for a 2-1 win over the Warriors, earning a trip to Tuesday’s semifinal round against Conestoga at a site and time to be determined.
“You have to play through it,” Emmaus goalkeeper Emma Cari said. “We learned how to get through it.”
Abby Burnett scored two goals and Rachel Herbine had an assist in the first half as the Hornets (26-0) looked every bit like the team that has been to every Class 3A semifinal since 2010. But something changed at halftime.
Methacton (16-7), the No. 4 seed from District One, picked up the pace and began controlling more play than Emmaus. The trend continued in the fourth when Lehigh University signee Madison Noh sored.
The Warrior continued to press on, getting seven more corners after halftime, but could not get another one past Cari.
“At halftime we were able to regoup and re-indentify what we do,” Methacton coach Amanda Fuertsch said. “There were plenty of games this season when we played great for three quarters and then let up in the fourth.”
Methacton did not let up and Emmaus did not let up, either, making the outcome in question until the final minute.
“We had a great talk at halftime, but our morale went down, and I don’t know why,” Burnett said. “We worked together. We lifted each other up. That’s why we won.”
Emmaus has won 13 state championships and 42 consecutive games.
“It’s a lot of pressure, but it’s exciting and I love doing it,” Cari said.
Methacton actually got the first pressure in the game, forcing a penalty corner in the first minute. After the Hornets turned it away, they went about their business of dominating play. They scored no goals in the first quarter, but Burnett broke free earlier in the second with two goals in a span of two minutes.
Emmaus’ failure to add to that lead resulted in the game becoming exciting in the final 15 minutes.
“We started this postseason trying to lift each other up,” Burnett said. “What makes us successful is having that positive mindset and not getting down on ourselves when something like a goal (allowed) happens.”
Emmaus will have a practice or two in order to get ready for the state semifinal. At least coach Sue Butz-Stavin has a practice in which to make any changes. A bounce or two more for Methacton, and the season may have ended.
“We weathered the storm defensively,” Butz-Stavin said. “They’re a tough bunch of kids. They’re going to step up. Overall we did a good job of making adjustments today. I’m proud of how we just kept plugging away.”
Emmaus 0200— 2
Methacton 0001— 1
Emmaus goals: Abby Burnett 2. Assist: Rachel Herbine. Shots: 13. Penalty corners: 7. Saves: Emma Cari 8.
Methacton goal: Madison Noh. Shots: 9. Penalty corners: 11. Saves: Gabby DiPrinzio 11.