CB East extended District 11 champion Emmaus to double overtime before falling 2-1 in Saturday’s PIAA 3A quarterfinal contest. (Photo provided courtesy of Deborah Horan/CB East field hockey)
#11-1 EMMAUS 2, #1-4 CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 1 (2 OT)
Emmaus brought a gaudy resume into Saturday’s PIAA 3A quarterfinal game against the Patriots at Exeter Township High School. Fresh off their 30th consecutive District XI title, the Hornets – owners of 10 state crowns during their storied history – boasted a perfect 25-0 record and a lineup filled with Division I recruits.
If the Patriots were impressed, they certainly didn’t let it show.
“It was amazing, and we should have won,” East coach Meghann Spratt said. “We dominated, and we played so well as a team – it was incredible. I’m so beyond sad that it’s over. It was one of our best games of the year.
“Our passing game was absolutely incredible. Our receiving – we kept every ball on our stick, and truly, every single girl on the field came to play. I told them – the only way we were going to be competitive with them was if we played CB East field hockey, and everybody comes to play, and they did. They truly, truly did.”
The Patriots served notice that they weren’t about to back down to the Hornets, getting on the scoreboard with five minutes remaining in the first half when Emma Donnelly connected with an assist from freshman Paige Hussie.
“It was her first game she ever started as a freshman in the state – she assist Emma Donnelly, who finished it beautifully,” Spratt said. “I had seen Emmaus play earlier this season, and I had video, and I do think that helped my girls prepare.
“I said to them – ‘If you don’t let them get momentum, that’s going to be a huge factor,’ and we didn’t. We scored first, which was so great.”
That 1-0 lead stood until St. Joseph’s commit Kacie Patton scored the equalizer with 23:13 remaining in the second half. Neither team scored the rest of the way, and the stage was set for overtime.
The Hornets won it when Joy Muller scored less than five minutes into the second OT period.
“When it came down to 7v7, I said, ‘I would play any team in the nation at this point 7v7. You guys are so strong – bring it,’ and they all did,” Spratt said of her message to her team. “We were even up a player when they scored in double overtime.
“They snuck a ball and found an open man, and she was on the post and put it away. I even think heading into the second overtime Emmaus looked more tired than we did. I have conditioned my girls so much all season long, and I still give so much credit to them. My girls still looked strong – the wind was a huge factor, and it was cold.”
Two years ago, East also faced Emmaus in a second round state game. The outcome was decidedly different as the Hornets rolled to an 8-1 win.
“We played such beautiful hockey today,” Spratt said. “I was not disappointed. I told them, ‘You gave 100 percent, everyone left it out on the field. It’s a shame we didn’t come out on top.’ It was a great, great field hockey game today. I’m just so sad it’s over.
“I got emotional when I had to circle them up right after the game because as a first-year coach and having the group of girls I did – it was the best experience I have ever had in coaching. It was incredible. I know they were sad and disappointed, but they knew they did everything they could and we just fell short.”
Both teams took nine shots on goal with the Hornets holding a 9-5 edge in corners.
Making the Patriots' performance even more impressive is the fact that they were without their leading scorer, sophomore Phia Mannino (injury).
"I'm not saying our history would have been different, but she was a key impact, and we did miss her," Spratt said. "It's just so unfortunate that it had to happen at this point in the season, but we exceeded all expectations across the board, and it's been so much fun."
Central Bucks East closed out its successful season with a 20-4 record and the program’s third consecutive SOL Continental Conference title.
Central Bucks East 1-0-0-0 1
Emmaus 0-1-0-1 2
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