In the first year under a new head coach last year, the Emmaus High School boys lacrosse team kept its winning tradition going. The Green Hornets, under then first-year head coach Stu Speicher, won the District 11 Class 3A championship in 2021 and was the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference runners-up. They finished the year going 19-3 overall after a one-loss regular season.

“It was the perfect way for me to start my tenure as head coach here,” said Speicher. “The guys really played hard and made me proud all year. That’s all a coach wants to see.”

The good part of that season was the amount of wins and trophies Emmaus earned. The bad part heading into this year is the amount of contributors that graduated as seniors following the season.

The Green Hornets had 14 players don the green and gold for the last time in their careers last May. Speicher will need plenty of newer faces to step in and become leaders if his team is going to continue to get back to the postseason and contend for championships. The 2022 version of Emmaus has some strengths that he likes seeing.

“Our strengths include outstanding leadership from our upperclassmen and a full roster which brings tremendous energy and enthusiasm to every practice,” said Speicher. “We graduated 14 players last season, so we have many key spots to fill. We hope to continue the proud tradition of Emmaus Lacrosse and be able to compete against our EPC, Colonial League, and nonconference opponents.”

This year’s senior class includes Ben Thomas, Connor Flok, Zack Younker, Sikander Saeed, Jared Groller, Logan Mains, Sean Higgins, Danny Ahne, Jeremiah Sohna, Liam Porecca, Lance Farnschlader and Jared Speicher. The junior class includes John Hughes, Aidan Garrett, Carlos Koduah, Ty Beson, Ben Goldman, Owen Moyer and Jackson Lake. The sophomore class features Will Barber, Isaiah Elcock, Jakari Christian, Erick Wentz, Aaron Watkins, Sam Rainford, Emmanuel Bermudez, Noah Schurman, Zach Yenawine, John Wassel, Liam Rooney, Andrew Duprey, Michael Schlaner and Michael Chies.

Speicher is also excited for his large freshman group, which includes Reilly Bechtel, Tyler Carter, Gabe Chies, Ashton Fehr, Abe Fink, Matt Grossi, Reno Guastella, Ian Hazan, Kaleb Mains, Michael Rooney, Michael Singley, Lewes Sarver, Eli Schaadt, Zachary Schantzenbach, Jack Sullivan and Jewlian Torres.

“We’re very proud of everything we accomplished during the 2021 season,” Speicher said. “And we’re excited to start a new chapter of Emmaus lacrosse during 2022 with lots of new players who possess the same high expectations.”