For the first time since the start of the 2013 season, the Emmaus boys lacrosse team will not open the year as defending District 11 champions. The Green Hornets lost their last two games of 2016 to Easton in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference semifinals, and to Parkland in the district quarterfinals.

The end to the season was a far cry from what the program has done the last five years under head coach Scott Ketcham. Emmaus has a league title and three district championships in the five years that Ketcham has been at the helm, so there is no worry about the setback of a year ago.

“It was a tough end to the year last year,” Ketcham said of finishing at 12-9 overall. “We’re looking to climb back up the mountain to regain our spot at the top of the mountain here in the Lehigh Valley.

“It will take a lot of hard work and effort, but this group is willing to put forward the work that it takes to get where we want to be at the end of the year.”

For the Green Hornets to get back to the top, it will start on defense, where Emmaus will have the most experience in 2017.

“We return eight defenders, and only lost one to graduation (Matthew Grispo),” said Ketcham. “Tyler Corpora is also the best midfielder in this region and will be a productive player for us.”

Anchoring that defensive front is first-team All-EPC senior Braedon Labar, who is committed to play at Siena College, classmate Mike Seitz and junior Zach Higgins. They will be starting a new goalie as Kevin McGee moved on to college.

The attack all starts with All-EPC midfielder Corpora. After seeing the majority of their scoring graduate in Collin Tucker and Colin Mason, the Hartford University commit will have to take on an even bigger role this season. He will be helped by attackman Konnor Haldeman, a senior, and junior Hunter Krauss, also a Hartford commit.

Ketcham noted that he will be looking at some newcomers in Devon Boyko, Sabino Basso, and Brent Meilinger.

Emmaus is scheduled to open the regular season on the road at Hershey on Friday.