The Emmaus High School boys soccer team is looking to keep the pace at the top of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference. After suffering its first defeat of the season earlier last month, the Green Hornets have gotten back on a win streak..

“We have been fortunate to have the record that we have,” said Hornet head coach John Cari. “We lost one of our goalkeepers, Gavin Yartymyk, to a broken hand that needed surgery. My all-conference defender, Brayden Dang, was found to have an abnormality in his foot which required time off. Our senior striker, Kai Mattern, was found to have broken vertebrae, and two of my younger players who were vital subs are dealing with concussions. To continue to find ways to win is a testament to the quality of players we have on our entire roster.”

Emmaus defeated East Stroudsburg South 2-0 last Monday afternoon then took down Stroudsburg 7-0 on Wednesday night. The following night, the Hornets ended with a 1-1 tie with Pleasant Valley on the road.

In the win over the Cavaliers, Gabe Reyes and Ethan Dublin each found the back of the net. Canyon Reinhardt tallied an assist. The Green Hornets outshot them 26-3 overall and 19-3 on goal and had an 11-1 advantage in corner kicks.

In the victory against the Mounties, six different Emmaus players scored goals. Reinhardt led the way with two goals, and Conner Powell, Dublin, Miles Cook, Reyes and Noah Tintle recorded one goal. Callum Harvey and Austen Bresich had two assists, while Reinhardt, Cook and Ben Grossi all had one assist. Will Peck made one save in goal.

The Bears got on the scoreboard first with a goal by Dominic Balzano in the first half. Emmaus tied the score with a goal by Brayden Dang, assisted by Grossi, in the second half. After two overtime periods, neither team could secure the winner. Peck finished with three saves in goal. Emmaus had 14 shots overall and eight on goal, compared to 10 for Pleasant Valley and four on goal.

Cari has enjoyed the season to date, but there is one specific game so far that has stuck out the most.

“I am proud of how we responded in the Cumberland Valley game,” Cari said. “Cumberland Valley is routinely a top-10 team in the state. We came from behind to win that game. It shows that when healthy, we can play with anyone in the state.”

Emmaus, which improved to 12-1-1 overall and 11-1-1 in the conference, had just two games this week. It hosted East Stroudsburg North this past Tuesday night and is at Nazareth on Thursday night. The regular season ends next week with two games as the Trojans welcome Liberty to Memorial Field next Monday night and then end the season at Parkland on Wednesday.

“We strive to be our best come districts,” said Cari. “To get healthy, work to get better, and take each game one at a time should give up the opportunity to be successful.”