The Emmaus High School boys lacrosse team had one of its best regular seasons in program history during the 2024 season, but was unable to come away with any postseason glory.

The Hornets finished last year 18-3 overall, 17-1 during the regular season went undefeated in Eastern Pennsylvania Conference play, with the only loss coming to Wilson West Lawn. They qualified for the EPC playoffs and defeated Central Catholic 9-7 in the semifinal round, but fell to Easton 12-4 in the championship game. Emmaus then lost to Parkland 10-9 in the District 11 semifinals. The Red Rovers also won districts.

This season, the Hornets will look to finish the job and earn some hardware.

“The guys had a great year last year,” said head coach Justin Fuhrman. “We just came up a little short when it came to our main goals of winning championships. The group back this year is hungrier than ever to get over the hump and finish the job.”

Some of the top returning members of last year’s squad include senior midfielders Kaleb Mains, Gabe Chies, Jewlien Torres, Reilly Bechtel and James Schauer, junior midfielder Jace Pilarski, sophomore defenders Brady McKechnie and Reiken Bechtel and sophomore midfielder Anthony Attar. There are also a couple of key newcomers that will be expected to contribute, including freshman attackers Dylan Maloney and Alex Younker, along with freshman midfielder Greyson Schmidt.

“We are a young and talented team that needs to grow together to adjust to the speed of the varsity game,” Fuhrman said. “Chemistry and limiting self-inflicted mistakes will put us in position to succeed. I have no doubt that the team that ends the season will have grown immensely from the one that begins it, and how far we go in the postseason will depend on how much growth we can accomplish together.

“At Emmaus our expectation is to compete for an EPC and district championship. The competition is getting tougher in the Lehigh Valley every year and we are excited for the challenge to compete with these great programs.”

Emmaus begins its 2025 regular season on the road at Bethlehem Catholic on Tuesday, March 18.

The home opener is set for that Thursday against Freedom before welcoming Central Bucks East in a nonconference game on Saturday morning.