The Emmaus High School girls soccer team had one of its best seasons in recent history in 2024, ending in the PIAA state tournament first round.

“I felt the season went great,” said first-year head coach Chris Hain. “Off the field, it was an adjustment and sort of a break-in period navigating my way through certain aspects of what’s required of a coach at Emmaus, so I felt on a personal level I spent a lot of time figuring all that out.

“On the field, I, along with the coaching staff, were very happy how the year went. It was very unfortunate to lose Kam McWhinney to a season-ending injury four games in as she is a huge leader on and off the field, so we had to adjust, and other players stepped up. We continued to suffer injuries throughout the year losing Sofia Shutkufski for three-quarters of the season along with most of the back line for games here and there, but players continued to step in and step up all season long. Such a special group of players, such a special team.”

The Hornets finished 17-5-2 overall and 13-2-1 in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, advancing to the semifinals of the conference tournament and the District 11 4A title game.

“Making it to the district final was huge for these girls, especially having to go through a well-coached team in Parkland, who is loaded with talented players,” Hain said. “I think making it to the EPC final for these girls was a great accomplishment considering all the obstacles they had to overcome all season long. And then making it to states was an honor considering how hard it is to make it there.”

In a highly successful season, there were plenty of positive highlights.

“We had some very exciting games, one against Freedom who was extremely well coached and gave top teams solid games all season, beating them in OT with a shot from Ella Scharper from 35 yards out, but I would have to say the win against Parkland was a favorite moment to see the girls and parents so happy and for the reasons I talked about above regarding Parkland,” said Hain. “One of my favorite moments was after our Youth Clinic on Sept. 30, and while all the girls were cleaning up a song came on and the whole team started dancing and singing, it was a special moment to witness, and it showed how close and special this group was. With that though, every day the coaching staff got to step on the field with these girls was special.”

Emmaus will graduate six seniors including Kirsten Esterly, Kam McWhinney, Gabriella Powell, Madison Shutkufski, Ashley Stine and Morgan Tandy. But the talent is there with the returning players.

“We were very young this season and to see what we accomplished with some of the players we lost throughout the season was amazing,” Hain said. “So, the future is very bright for Emmaus girls soccer and we have some young, very talented players here and coming in that we can build around for the next seasons.”