Last season, the Emmaus and Parkland High School girls soccer teams met in the championship games of both the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference and District 11 tournaments, with the Trojans coming out on top in both matchups.

This season, both teams were once again toward the top of the conference standings and are strong contenders for both league and district crowns. But with how seedings worked out, the rivals met in the EPC semifinals.

“The regular season was a success overall,” said Emmaus head coach Sarah Oswald. “I would have liked to see us compete and get a positive result against the teams that were the most challenging. However, those losses have paved the pathway for us to move in a positive direction in the postseason. As a team, we recognize what it’s going to take to compete and be successful against hardworking and talented teams.”

It was the second meeting of the year with Parkland winning 3-1 during the regular season finale. The Green Hornets scored the opener and held a lead before the Trojans answered with three straight goals to win. Last Wednesday night at Whitehall High School, it was a different story as top-seeded Parkland scored six goals and did not allow one in taking down the fourth seed, Emmaus, 6-0 in the semifinal round.

The Trojans evenly distributed their goals, scoring three in each half as Julia Hayward led the way with two goals and each of Emma Hull, Lauren Ervin, Aristea Gougoustamos and Ellie Kocher all added a goal.

“Parkland played the best game in EPC I’ve seen them play all season,” Oswald said. “They came with a confidence and winning mentality to that game, and we had no answer. The attacking ideas were on, and they finished opportunities when necessary to put the game out of reach early. I don’t think they put a wrong foot forward all night long and the ball bounced in their direction. They were clearly the better team that night.”

Parkland (19-0-1 overall) outshot Emmaus (14-5-1) 10-3 overall and held a 7-2 advantage in corner kicks. Ashley Stine finished with four saves.

The Green Hornets earned the three seed in this week’s district tournament and will host the sixth seed, Freedom, in the quarterfinal round Wednesday afternoon at Memorial Field. Emmaus was a 3-0 winner over the Patriots in the regular season back on Sept. 27.

The winner will take on the second seed, Easton, in the semifinals on Tuesday night.

“There is a new energy and sense of excitement in training during this postseason,” said Oswald. “Players have been willing to work to their highest potential and push others to do the same. There is a level of accountability being held by our leaders as well.

“It’s been a refreshing postseason after league playoffs. The players are hungry to compete for a district title for a second year, but realize the road ahead is not an easy one. We need to focus on the game in front of us and be ready to compete for a full 80 minutes.”