Easton’s Wilson playing big
Emmaus girls buzzing, plus top Lehigh Valley players and teams
At 6-foot-4, 235 pounds, Easton’s Sean Wilson strikes an imposing figure on the lacrosse field.
Wilson, a defensive dynamo for the Red Rovers, was turned loose on offense last week and longtime coach Brad Bachman liked the results.
A three-sport athlete, Wilson contributed three goals against Freedom and three goals and an assist against Emmaus. Easton earned two important Eastern Pennsylvania Conference wins to improve to 13-2 entering Monday’s matchup vs. Parkland.
“It was definitely fun to be a part of the offense,” said Wilson, who previously played as an attacker as part of the man-up rotation. “It was nice to help the guys produce some points. They got me the open shots and I was able to bury them.”
Wilson starred as a long-stick midfielder a season ago.
This year, he has been used all over the field, according to Bachman, since his return from a shoulder injury he suffered during the football season. Wilson has even played goalie.
“Last week he was the lefty hammer for our offense,” Bachman said. “Sean is a great pole who knows the game of lacrosse well. I often joke that Sean could take anyone’s position, including taking my whistle and coaching.
“We put him on man-up last year with his pole and the same night he tore down our net taking practice shots. We knew he had a big shot.
“We knew we’d be facing a zone last week and we put Sean in as a zone-buster,” Bachman said.
Wilson, who according to Bachman will return to his role as a utility player, suffered a torn labrum during the football season and missed the entire basketball season. He also missed the first four games of the spring season.
Wilson is a two-way tackle in football and a center in basketball.
“It was very tough,” he said. “It was brutal to watch and not be able to help the team.”
Now, Wilson’s back and a big (literally) reason why the Red Rovers are top contenders for conference and District 11 championships.
Easton already earned wins over Emmaus and Freedom, with a close 5-3 loss to unbeaten Central Catholic.
“We built a tough independent schedule to get ready for the year,” Bachman said, “and the grind of the playoffs. We have quality wins in our conference and independent schedule. Those wins are building blocks and confidence builders for when we see teams in the playoffs.”
Hornets hold upper hand
Emmaus edged Easton 6-5 last Thursday in a showcase of the top two teams in The Morning Call Top 5.
Surprisingly, it was an extremely low scoring battle between two dynamic offenses. Green Hornets goalie Alani Shotwell came up with the clutch save of the night at the two-minute mark, stopping a free-position attempt off the stick of Reese Krieger. Emily Hollinger tallied two goals for Emmaus.
The contest was a physical affair throughout and featured two ejections.
Emmaus, which was No. 2 entering the game, is the new No. 1 while Easton fell from No. 1 to 2 this week. The teams are likely to meet up again in the EPC and/or District 11 playoffs.
But, for now, the Green Hornets have bragging rights.
Makin’ their mark
The third time’s the charm. Northwestern Lehigh enters Monday’s
matchup against Emmaus with a 9-5 overall record. Marcus Janda’s Tigers clinched a District 11 2A playoff berth last week for the first time in the program’s three-year history.
Senior attack Andrew Collins and senior midfield Andrew Sabo headline the Tigers’ attack with 51 and 50 points, respectively. Sophomore attack Blaine Snyder is another offensive weapon with 38 points.
Northwestern is currently the No. 2 seed in the 2A bracket behind defending district and state champion Central Catholic.
Must-see matchups
The Battles of Cedar Crest Boulevard precede next week’s EPC tournament and are this week’s must-see matchups.
Emmaus at Parkland boys, 7 p.m. Wednesday: Coach Stu Speicher’s Green Hornets are now 0-3 vs. the EPC’s top teams (setbacks to Central Catholic, Easton and Freedom). They need the Trojans to lose to Easton on Monday night, then they need to defeat Parkland in this clash to pull even in the conference standings. Emmaus, the defending District 11 Class 3A champ, has dropped four of five after an 8-2 start.
Parkland at Emmaus girls, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday: Coach Brittaney Costigan’s Trojans can clinch a spot in the conference playoffs with a win vs. Easton on Monday or a victory in this marquee matchup. Parkland is led by super sophomore Gigi Leonzi, who compiled 60 goals and 20 assists prior to May. Emmaus is paced by senior star Julia Cote, who amassed 59 goals and 30 assists entering Monday.
Also ahead
Central Catholic’s boys begin a big week Monday against Moravian Academy. Coach Kevin O’Neill’s Vikings, the last unbeaten team (boys or girls) in District 11, play Bethlehem Catholic on Wednesday, Freedom on Friday and at Saint Peter’s Prep (N.J.) on Saturday.
The EPC boys semifinals are set for Monday, May 9 with the girls semis scheduled for Tuesday, May 10. The EPC championship girls/boys doubleheader is Thursday, May 12. All games will be played at Northampton’s Al Erdosy Stadium.