Green Hornets are up to the challenge
Emmaus appears ready for postseason in nonleague victory
Emmaus usually plays a challenging nonconference schedule in field hockey and this year was no exception.
The Green Hornets played games against national powers Oak Knoll (N.J.), Downingtown West, Gwynedd Mercy and a non-EPC contest against Easton leading into Saturday’s last nonleague game versus Lancaster County’s Penn Manor, which came in with the best rating in District 3 Class 3A.
Emmaus (16-1) started and ended strong. Gracie Huffer, Emmy Horner and Melea Weber each had a goal and an assist in a 4-1 win over the Comets at Memorial Field. Next up for the Hornets is a Tuesday (6:30 p.m.) meeting at home with Parkland.
“I’m just happy with how we presented ourselves on the field today,” Emmaus coach Sue ButzStavin said. “It’s a great win for the seniors to go out on their Senior Day. We did some things well. I’m happy with how we worked together as a group.”
Emmaus honored its 11 seniors in a pregame ceremony. Each player was introduced with her parents, including starter Jordyn Poll, who was hobbling on a sprained ankle she suffered a day earlier in the Whitehall game.
The last set of parents to come through were David and Mary Cook, father and mother of Hailey Cook, who would have been a senior this year but passed away in June.
“This whole season is dedicated to [Cook] and playing for her,” Weber said. “Every time we step on the field, we’re thinking about her and are willing to do our best to play for her because she can’t be with us.”
Emmaus went up 1-0 four minutes in when Haley Kvacky assisted on Gracie’s Huffer’s goal. Emmy Horner had a goal and an assist in the second quarter. Charlise Solano assisted her two minutes in and then Horner assisted on Weber’s goal less than a minute later.
Penn Manor (11-2-1) rarely penetrated the Emmaus side of the field. The Comets did break through on an Isabelle Thatcher goal. Butz-Stavin called for a timeout right after that. Penn Manor did not threaten again.
The Hornets have done well in adjusting to several players taking roles in new positions on the field, but Butz-Stavin said that is not as difficult as it sounds if the players are trained properly.
“Our players are very versatile,” she said. “That’s one of our great assets. You have to be flexible. The game doesn’t change. Passing, receiving and finishing touches. All the girls go through finishing drills, where to finish. It’s not new to them. [It’s about] Mental preparation. Physical preparation. Also being able to adapt to what those teams are doing differently on the field.”
“We all stepped up from the beginning of the season,” Weber said. “A lot of underclassmen are stepping up big time. I feel like I’m more of a leader on the field and helping my teammates help each other with passing, moving and doing it well. We’re getting very well-prepared for the postseason. That’s helping us become stronger as a team.”
A lot of things would have to happen, but Emmaus could meet Penn Manor again. Despite having many wins to count in her 48 seasons as head coach, ButzStavin does not count any that she does not have yet.
“Of course we have to get through our conference and then the district, but once you get into states, this is the type of team that you see [Penn Manor],” she said. “We had a little discussion [with the players], but it wasn’t really news for them.
“It’s better than having to pass the ball around for more than 50% of the game because we can’t score more than 13 goals. We want the competition. We want to see where our strengths are. We want to see where our weaknesses are.”
PennManor 0 0 0 1—1
Emmaus 1 2 1 0—4
Penn Manor goals: Isabelle Thatcher.
Assist: Chloe Hook.
Emmaus goals: Gracie Huffer, Melea Weber, Emmy Horner, Autumn Held. Assists: Haley Kvacky, Horner, Charlise Solano, Weber.