The Whitehall field hockey team will look to preserve its undefeated record when they host Emmaus on Tuesday night.

Heading into the game, both teams are perfect, and the winner will seize the top spot in the Skyline Division of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference. The Zephs are 9-0, while the Green Hornets sit at 10-0.

Head Coach Jennifer Bodnar knows the challenges of playing Emmaus, a perennial contender for the state championship, and whose coach, Sue Butz-Stavin, ranks as the winningest coach in U.S. field hockey history, setting that mark earlier this season with 840 victories.

They also have a formidable line-up featuring Meredith Sholder who currently leads the EPC in scoring with 65 points.

They have good athletes, plenty of experience, and are well coached, all ingredients that’ll make it a tough assignment for the Zephs.

It doesn’t matter, though. The Zephs are just going to focus on what they do. Bodnar said that the team has been playing pretty well, and they want to keep building on that success. She said it’s not the time to get complacent, and Tuesday’s game is another stepping stone toward their goal of making it to the postseason.

“We don’t want to stop,” said Bodnar. “We want to keep getting better and better.

“We want to keep striving. The end result will be reflected in how well we play the games.”

The Zephs are now entering a tough stretch of their schedule. After Emmaus they host Parkland on Thursday, getting into the meat of their division games.

Bodnar said that the key when meeting Emmaus is “playing a complete game.” She doesn’t want them to get overwhelmed, just stay even keeled.

“We want to stay grounded, not too excited or nervous,” she said. “We also want to minimize out mistakes and capitalize on our opportunities.”

One player who is making the most of those opportunities is Cara Bonshak. The junior forward is currently tied for third in scoring among the area teams with 30 points (14 goals and 2 assists). She is one of several players who have emerged as offensive threats for the Zephs, who also feature Kylee Cunningham, Kassidy Cunningham, Rachel Schannauer, Taylor George and Caitlin Cunningham.

Still, she knows that with all the corners they’ve earned the last few games, the need to capitalize on those opportunities remains a constant theme.

“We have to convert on those chances,” she said.

Defensively they’re stout as well, with Kayla Nailor in goal and Schannauer leading the experienced line that includes Vita Marks, Rachel Hibshman and Hayley Yandrasitz.

Bodnar said that she’s extremely proud of their defensive effort. They’ve allowed just four goals over nine games. She also believes they’ve been playing better in their transition game, something that’s reflected in the number of versatile players on their roster.

Despite the rain, the game went on as scheduled with the Green Hornets winning 5-0. Emmaus’ win puts them in sole possession of first in the division.