The early part of the season has been huge for the Emmaus boys soccer program. Coach John Cari, who is in his tenth season, came into the year with 149 wins and his team quickly put him at the 150 mark with a season-opening win over Easton.

"I've had a lot of talented kids, that's all it comes down to," said Cari. "I've been very fortunate to have talented players who want to work hard and succeed."

Cari currently ranks second in career wins in the Emmaus boys soccer program, behind John Schmidt, who coached the team for 18 seasons and picked up 261 wins. Cari's winning percentage is third in the program's history and has him on a pace to easily pass Schmidt if he decides to hang around long enough. As for reaching the milestone, Cari hasn't allowed just what that means to sink in and doesn't plan on thinking about that for a while.

"I'll worry about that later, when I retire, I'll look at it, but I am proud of some of the things that have happened," Cari admitted.

Obviously, among those 150 wins, there have been a lot of big victories, many of which came along the way to an appearance in the PIAA Finals in 2000. Another has come already this season when Cari's squad downed Cumberland Valley 2-1 in overtime. The Eagles came into the game ranked 19th in the country among high school teams, but were sent packing when senior Parker Landis scored the game-winner late in the first overtime period to get the win.

"That was a big win for us, there's no doubt," said Cari. "Our kids really stepped up and I couldn't be more thrilled with how they played."

Cari's 150th win and the upset of Cumberland Valley came in back-to-back games, making for a raucous start to the season.

Overall, Emmaus is now 4-0-1 overall and 3-0-0 in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference this season. The only draw came against Downingtown West in a game shortened by rain.

One of the big stories this season has been the play of forward John Fritz, who has scored seven goals in five games to easily lead the team in goals through the early going. Fritz has stepped into a starting role for the team this season and has quickly become a standout player for the Hornets, even if there might still be a few rough edges.

"He's been really great," said Cari. "He works hard and gives 100 percent out there and makes things happen, which is what we ask of him. He might not always be pretty, but his work rate is always 100 percent and that's what has made him successful."

Fritz plays club soccer during the summer and credits that with helping him to become a stronger player. Taking over his parents garage hasn't hurt his game either.

"I had a ball in my garage and kept hitting it off a wall a lot, so I guess that counts," he said. "I also had a lot of practice with my club team. Also just getting more playing time and I'm starting and I'm bigger, faster, stronger and more skilled."

In the win over Cumberland Valley, Fritz scored Emmaus' first goal when he deflected a shot by Landis and sent it past Eagles goalie Aman Grewal. His performance in that game and the fact that the Hornets picked up the win has given Fritz some added confidence that he can tap into the rest of the season.

"It was a really important win; I couldn't stop smiling when we were done," Fritz said. "It was really great and a big morale booster. Our goals are higher, but we have to focus on the next game and as we keep winning, we can focus down the road, but for now, we just focus on the games."

Emmaus enters a stretch of three straight home games, with division foe Northampton (2-2, 1-2) coming to Memorial Field Thursday. Rival Parkland (3-0, 1-0) comes in Saturday evening at 6:30 and Pocono Mountain West wraps up the homestand on Monday.