Freedom senior midfielder Brady Sutton took the Patriots’ last shot against Emmaus in an Eastern Pennsylvania Conference semifinal on Oct. 17 at J Birney Crum Stadium, but as the ball went wide in the 79th minute, the Hornets would advance to the EPC final by a score of 1-0, dashing the Pates’ hopes until the District XI tournament, scheduled to begin this week.

“That’s always the silver lining with EPCs,” said Freedom coach Tyler Nolan. “It doesn’t take away the sting, but it certainly is nice that it doesn’t have to be the end, especially for the seniors. We get a couple days off, and then we regroup and go back at it.”

Just one month earlier, Sutton found the back of the net in the 77th minute to defeat Emmaus, 1-0, on Sept. 19.

Freedom goalie Micah Lawser and Emmaus goalie Will Peck made four saves apiece, but in the 70th minute, Mohamed Hassanali scored the only goal of the match

“It kind of looked like a broken play that they pursued,” Coach Nolan said. “That’s kind of their M.O.”

Freedom’s first chance came in the 14th minute, but Peck fell face first on top of the ball for the save.

Eduardo DeFreitas-Pacheco’s cross to Logan Espinal couldn’t be converted, and Sutton’s free kick late in the first half was blocked.

“It’s always disappointing to give up one goal if you expect us, especially with our attack, to get a goal or two,” said Nolan. “It’s always disappointing to get shut out, and you give up one, you hope to at least get another one.”

Emmaus went on to win the EPC tournament with a 3-1 victory over Parkland on Oct. 19 at Whitehall.