Lacrosse is a novel sport in the Lehigh Valley. Only eight schools in the Lehigh Valley Conference have boys' lacrosse programs.

In Emmaus, the Green Hornets have a seasoned roster as they have competed scholastically since 2001. That history has given them advantage against their competitors as they have more experience.

Oh, and they can play a little too.

Through Monday the Green Hornets possessed a 4-2 record in the LVC and a 11-2 record overall. Head coach Scott Ketchman knew he had a solid team in the preseason.

"I thought our team was a great group," he said. "I don't just have individuals. So not a lot of people thought we were going to be great, but deep down inside we knew we were going to work hard. And that hard work certainly paid off. The record has certainly shown it."

This squad has a few players that stand above the rest. Although they can score on teams the leadership stems from the defense.

Senior goalie, Garret Miers, and senior defenseman Corey Hill spearhead the defensive protection. Miers, who is going to play collegiately at Lehigh University in the fall, focuses on keeping shutouts alive. While Hill focuses on stopping the shooting from all around.

"No matter the play I was shouting it out," said Hill. "The defense keeps everyone in line and we take it one play, one game at a time."

Ketchman had nothing, but praise for his defensive unit after a 17-1 blowout victory over a start-up program in Liberty. "Our entire defense is great. Not just Hill, who is a superstar, but guys like Brendan McGeary as well. Miers has been the key [for our defense]. He is the real deal."

Emmaus is having considerable success this season, however, it still must contend against Easton and Parkland, which are both having tremendous seasons.

Emmaus earned a solid victory over one of those LVC beasts in the Trojans earlier this month, 8-3, but this determined team doesn't care what name appears on its opponents' uniform.

"We just did our thing [against Parkland]," said Ketchman, a former Muhlenberg assistant coach. "We just take one game at a time. We don't talk about opponents. We just look at the next challenge ahead. We actually don't even use teams' names. We go forward one game at a time. That is something we have committed to doing this season."

Lacrosse is a fast paced game that requires everyone on the field to constantly be moving and focused during the entire game.

The Green Hornets stay involved by having the players on the sidelines shout out the play to the active players so that everyone is on the same page.

According to Hill this year's team is a lot closer than in years past and that togetherness has aided in wins this spring.