The 2016 season could be historic for the Emmaus boys lacrosse team. The Green Hornets will be searching for their fourth straight District 11 title, which would be the most of any school in boys lacrosse since it became a varsity sport.

Emmaus finished last season at 14-7 and earned a berth into the state tournament.

The Green Hornets will have some big shoes to fill, especially on defense with the graduations of Eastern Pennsylvania Conference All-Stars Andrew Davidson and Claude Bradshaw. Goalkeeper Matt Horton, Patrick Camilli, Troy Brennan and Bob Scott Award winner Jacob Baker also graduated after last season.

“We have a perceived weakness on defense with the losses of Bradshaw and Davidson,” said head coach Scott Ketcham. “But there are a myriad of young players waiting for a chance to play.”

Defenseman Braedon Labar, a verbal commit to Siena College, returns to bolster the defense. He will be helped by goalie Kevin McGee, and defenseman Mike Seitz.

The strength of this team, according to Ketcham, is going to be the offense. The Green Hornets will rely on their quick attack to keep them in any game. They return a wide variety of players that combined to score 175 goals last season.

All-EPC midfielder Collin Tucker (committed to Stevenson University), attackman Colin Mason (committed to Stevenson University), midfielder Matthew Grispo, midfielder Christian Shaffer, as well as junior midfielder Tyler Corpora (verbal commitment to Hartford University), give the Green Hornets plenty of options in the offensive third of the field.

Sophomore attackman Hunter Krauss, and senior midfielder Mitch Wilson, who is returning from injury, will also have chances at finding the back of the net.

Emmaus has enough of its core back from the district championship teams to give the team experience and the talent to battle for a fourth consecutive title come May.

“The team has worked very hard in the off-season and we look forward to getting the season started on March 31 with the hope of maintaining the proud tradition that this lacrosse program has built,” said Ketcham. “But it will not be easy. Southern Lehigh, Parkland, Easton and Central Catholic are all strong and will give us some trouble.”