There is not much more the Emmaus High School field hockey team could have done better last year. The Green Hornets went 28-0 overall, while winning the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference crown, District 11 Class 3A title and PIAA championship.

Emmaus has been the class of District 11 and even of Pennsylvania for the last few decades under head coach Sue Butz-Stavin, who enters her 47th season in charge of the program. Even after perfect seasons and graduations of key seniors, Emmaus reloads and keeps the wheels turning with underclassmen stepping up when their names are called.

“The program has been strong for quite some time and that is due in large part to the student-athletes we’ve had come through,” Butz-Stavin said. “They buy in to our mission and work hard to be successful. I’ve had a lot of great coaches that have worked with me as well that make my job easier.”

The Green Hornets graduated four student-athletes from last year’s state champion team, all four were starters, including Kylie Faust, Jenna Villeneuve, Brooke Mancini and Lexi Kociban.

Some of the returning players from last year’s squad that are expected to lead the group this season include senior midfielder Abby Burnett (28 goals and 32 assists), senior forward Rachel Herbine (46 goals and 32 assists) and senior forward Ava Zerfass (54 Goals and 13 assists). All three Green Hornets were First Team All-EPC performers and members of the All-State teams.

Even with a newer group leading the way for the Green Hornets this season, the goals and mission remain the same as it does every season.

“We want the team to be cohesive and to continue the tradition of excellence on the playing field and in the classroom,” said Butz-Stavin. “We have a culture of winning on the field, but also want our players to grow into adults off the field as well.”