The Emmaus High School boys soccer team had its 2023 season finish in the PIAA first round last Tuesday, Nov. 7 at Memorial Field. The Green Hornets ended 19-3-1 overall and 16-0-1 in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, winning their fourth straight District 11 6A championship.

“How can I be disappointed in a district title,” said head coach John Cari. “Seriously, I felt a little empty, for this was one talented group who statically are all over the state record book for the great things they did. I wanted more for them. They deserved more.”

In the first round game with the District One’s fifth seed, Council Rock North, the Indians got on the scoreboard first with a goal in the first half and then tacked on an insurance goal in the second half to go up by two goals.

Ryan Kiernan put the Green Hornets on the scoreboard with a second half goal off an assist by Kai Mattern. Emmaus outshot Council Rock North 8-7 overall and they were tied 4-4 with shots on goal. The Green Hornets also held a 3-1 advantage in corner kicks. Colin Wilson finished with saves in goal.

“They stylistically are very different from us,” Cari said. “They play direct and use a big throw-in. We knew this and were prepared, but in the first half, we fell into a trap and played their style instead of our own, but much less efficiently. I thought once we started to play our way, we were a freight train for 31 minutes, we just couldn’t find the one to even it all up.”

Cari looks at all of the positives, winning 19 games, going unbeaten in conference play, including 17 shutouts, and winning the fourth district title in the last five years.

“It’s our goal every year,” said Cari. “We want a chance to play in the state tournament, and it doesn’t matter if it’s our first, ninth or 19th. It’s always special.”

Cari, who is in his 19th season at the helm, has led the Hornets to the district championship game in each of the last 12 years, including winning the title seven times (2011, 2015, 2016, 2019-22) in that span. The last time the Hornets failed to reach the final was 2010 when they were the top seed by fell 1-0 in double overtime to five-seed Easton.

Emmaus will graduate 12 seniors, including Wilson, Kiernan, Dahlin Allport, Elijah Daly, Ethan Ervin, Preston Eshleman, Elijah Miller, Eli Pennell, Marcus Puentes, Garran Roth, Aidan Santos and Pacey Santos.

“Not to sound cliché they are an absolutely great group of boys,” Cari said. “As I said, they were special. They put in a ton of time with us and were dedicated to the end. They will certainly be missed.”

There is still a talented group coming back looking to get back to the conference championship game and defend their district title.

“We have a talented core coming back,” said Cari. “All-conference center back Brayden Dang and two-year starter Callum Harvey should lead us. We have some new spots to fill, but we are excited about our youth and will have some new faces ready to compete for next year’s district title.”