Next Spring, graduation will take just over half of the players on the Emmaus field hockey team off the roster, leaving a pretty large hole to fill. The toll of graduation is the largest since Emmaus lost 13 seniors in 2002 and still rebounded to continue its streak of district titles, which is now at 25 straight.

Last season, Emmaus lost six seniors to graduation and found a way to reload to produce a 26-1 season in 2013, so odds are good that the Hornets will be able to do the same next year.

"They arrived at practice every day ready to practice," said Butz-Stavin. "We worked hard and there wasn't anything that was distracting from their play.

"They had a mission in mind and I think that mission was getting here to the state final today, because as freshmen they got a state title and they were trying to make a bookend out of it, but it just didn't happen."

After their 2-1 loss to Lower Dauphin in this year's PIAA finals, the seniors were an emotional group of players who were facing the realization that they had played their final game together.

"Just knowing that this is the last time that I'm going to play on the field with these girls as an Emmaus Hornet and playing with the girls that I grew up with is tough," said senior Krissy Mikelson, who grew to be one of the team leaders throughout her high school career. "I wanted to go out with a win, so it's tough."

Many of the players on the team, whether they're seniors or freshmen, talked throughout the year about how close the team is both on and off the field. That bond was evident as the players consoled each other after the loss and looked toward their futures.

"We're a very close team," said Kayla Mack. "I'll remember waking up at six-o'clock in the morning during the summer and having to run, but it all works out because we got this far and even though we didn't win, we went as far as we could go."

This year's senior class played on teams that compiled a record of 102-5, won one state title and went to another state final. The senior group played twice in the PIAA semifinals and won four league and district titles over four seasons. For Ashley Moxey, who got to play under her father, assistant coach Andy Moxey, with all the success of the previous years, it will be 2013 that stands out in her memory.

"I'll remember this senior year," she said. "We've had an awesome time and we made it this far, which is more than a lot of teams have, so we'll take that with us. It wasn't the ending that we were hoping for, but we were here, so that's something to be proud of."

Many former Emmaus players were in town for the finals in Whitehall and it's not uncommon to see former players at Emmaus games.

That tradition is something that Kiera Godusky took note of and plans to keep going when she's back in town in the future.

"I'll remember the traditions that we have," said Godusky. "Every alumni player coming to watch us and coming to support us and always having faith in us."

Sue Butz-Stavin can be a tough coach, but her players all admit that she makes them better both on and off the field. Butz-Stavin looks to make sure that her players aren't just the best field hockey players they can be, but that they make the most of their high school years and are prepared for what's coming down the road.

It's a lesson that many of the players have taken to heart and it's no different with this year's senior class. Olivia Scarnulis believes that between all of the friends she's made and the things that she's learned, her high school field hockey career will stay with her for a long time.

"I'll remember all of the friends that I've made," said Scarnulis with a smile. "We're really very close and we're going to keep that bond even past these years. And the skills that it's taught me not only as a field hockey player, but as a person, it's taught me to be a better person and a stronger person."