Throughout the regular season and into the postseason, defense was a big part of the strategy for the Emmaus boys soccer team.

The Hornets found ways to score enough goals to win, but frustrated teams with their overpowering defense that was unmatched up until the finals of the District 11 tournament. That's when Emmaus ran into Stroudsburg, which was able to match the Hornets kick-for-kick defensively and eventually turn a 0-0 double-overtime game into a 5-4 win for the Mounties on penalty kicks.

The loss was a tough one to handle for Emmaus, who also lost a shot to go to the PIAA Tournament because of the outcome.

"They're a good team and they fought us really hard. It was a tough battle to go 0-0 with them and both teams really stepped up and played hard defensively," said coach John Cari. "Unfortunately, it comes down to PKs and we just didn't make ours, so hats off to them."

Both teams had opportunities throughout the game, including a final corner kick for Emmaus with eight seconds remaining in the second overtime. A.J. Bishop had a shot at the net, but sent it just over the top of the crossbar to send the game to penalty kicks. Earlier in overtime, Bishop and Ben Roda each had chances to score, but were turned away by Stroudsburg goalie Nino Ruiz, who recorded six saves in the game.

Emmaus goalie Kevin Fine was also sharp, turning away eight shots throughout the contest, including a diving save with a crowd of players in front of the net late in regulation. Stroudsburg rattled off two big shots within a two-minute period in the first overtime, but Fine was able to field both of them without any harm done.

"It's disappointing," said Fine. "You never picture it ending this way, but we played hard and they just beat us."

The first round of penalty kicks ended 3-3 with Charlie Jerry, Parker Landis and Roda hitting the net for Emmaus. In the second round, Bishop scored for Emmaus, but after the Hornets missed on an opportunity, Stroudsburg's John Cilli was able to sneak a shot past Fine for the win.

"The kicker is under more pressure in those situations. If a goalie can stop any of the shots, it's a big deal. It's a tough way to end the game, but our guys never quit and that's all we ever ask of them," said Cari.

Emmaus will lose nine players to graduation, with some key names among the group. Bishop, Tyler Brown, Gordon Daichendt, Fine, Damien Grycel, Finn Hobson, Adam Kita, Roda and Austin Sosnow all graduate.

"I have a lot of respect for my seniors, they did a lot out there," said Cari. "We left it to our seniors to finish this game and they did a great job even just getting it to PKs. Those kids were a great group of players and they definitely made an impact all season long."

Overall, Emmaus finished the season at 18-4-1 and were the Lehigh Valley Conference champions.