Every year at the start of a new season, there are fresh faces around, whether it is the players or the coaches. This year, the Emmaus girls lacrosse program will have a new leader running the show in Roxann Betz, who takes over for previous head coach Nancy Debellis. Betz was an assistant coach for the program the last three years and knows what is expected.

“I am excited to take on a new role within our program,” said Betz. “It is my task to help these girls learn a brand-new system under a first-year coach.”

Betz will have a new group of leaders to have to step up with the graduations of some multiyear starters from last year. Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Most Valuable Player Destanee Watkins, along with Grace Sullivan and Morgan Schantz, were a part of three league runner-up teams in their four-year careers. They helped the Green Hornets to the league and district playoffs all four years, including an upset 8-7 win over Southern Lehigh last season.

Some of the top returning players from last year include senior goalie Nina Carotenuto, along with fellow classmates Maddy Dorn, Hannah Maron, Holly Brinckman, Kendelle Conrad, Rachel Reed and Madison Kugler; juniors Lizzy Ninesling, Paige Weaver and Cammie Purtell; and sophomores Taylor O’Brien, Kacie Patton, Claire Nielsen and Grace Hall.

“We have strong leadership, and if they commit to the new system we are setting our goal on the EPC championship game,” said Betz. “However, we must take it one game at a time and build a sound game from one end of the field to the other. The girls definitely have the ability to win a championship this year.

“They just have to put their hearts into it. To win a championship my first year would be an amazing accomplishment, but there are so many changes we’ve implemented with our new system.

“As a new coach, I’m trying to remain positive even if things aren’t going the way we want them to and I have to keep that in mind as we go from game to game.”

Betz will be looking at three freshmen to make some contributions this season. Kaitlyn Csensits, Tori Brinckman and Laura Boyko will see their first varsity action as underclassmen this year. Betz also mentioned junior Libby Fennimor as a player that will have a chance to make contributions.

Through two weeks, Emmaus opened up the season 2-2 overall, with wins against Saucon Valley and Governor Mifflin.

The Green Hornets have three games this week, with a trip to Northampton Wednesday, followed by home games against Central Catholic tomorrow and versus rival Parkland on Saturday afternoon.