The Emmaus High School boys lacrosse team was looking to win a third straight District 11 championship, trying to match the run the program had from 2013-15. But Freedom had a different mindset as the Patriots scored the game-winning goal with just 27 seconds left in regulation as the fourth-seeded Patriots defeated the fifth-seeded Green Hornets 10-9 last Thursday night in the District 11 Class 3A quarterfinal round at Freedom High School.

Emmaus finished its year at 13-7 overall. They missed out on the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference tournament. Head coach Stu Speicher, in his second season as head coach, is still grateful for his team and how hard they worked.

“I’m very proud of this year’s team and appreciative of the hard work and great character they consistently displayed during the 2022 season,” said Speicher. “While it did not end the way we had hoped, I am proud of the group for everything they accomplished this year both on and off the field.”

It was the second time this season that the Green Hornets fell to Freedom, the first being a 10-8 setback on April 22.

Emmaus opened the game scoring the first four goals to lead 4-0 after one quarter and was ahead 4-3 at halftime. The Green Hornets were on top 8-6 in the fourth quarter, but the Patriots (15-4) responded with four of the game’s next five goals.

“I give credit to Freedom for making some clutch plays in the fourth quarter,” Speicher said. “They proved to be an unselfish team always willing to find an open teammate. Freedom is a talented team that effectively utilized different scorers in our two contests this season. I wish them the best of luck in the remainder of the playoffs.”

Sophomore Will Barber led the Emmaus offense with a game-high five goals, while senior Connor Flok added a pair of scores. Logan Mains and Liam Porreca each added a goal. Liam Rooney contributed three assists for Emmaus, which achieved one of its goals in making the postseason and not getting shut out of bids.

“We were excited to have an opportunity to compete in the playoffs, but disappointed that our season ended so abruptly,” said Speicher. “The boys worked hard to get to the postseason and really wanted a three peat. We were just out played and out coached that night.”

Emmaus will graduate 13 seniors from this year’s team, including Ben Thomas, Flok, Gavin Cronin, Sikander Saeed, Jared Groller, Mains, Sean Higgins, Danny Ahne, Jeremiah Sona, Porreca, Lance Farnschlader, Jared Speicher and Zack Younker.

“I will greatly miss working with our 13 seniors,” Speicher said. “But I’m grateful for the time I’ve had as their coach and am excited about seeing them be successful in the next chapter of their lives.”