The recent heat wave that hit the Lehigh Valley made it tough for some of the fall athletes who are used to crisper temperatures at this time of the season. The Northampton field hockey team found that out as Emmaus was able to grind them down and pick up a 5-0 win recently.

“We gave it our all for the 60-minutes. I feel that the second half, their depth beat our depth,” explained coach Carrie Saul. “We were starting to let the heat get to us and were spreading our lines more and we didn’t attack the ball like we did in the first half and they took advantage of that.”

It was easy to see players wearing down in the stifling 90-degree heat. In the first half, Northampton (7-4 EPC, 9-4 overall) was able to keep the game against the two-time defending state champions close and went into half-time down just 1-0. As time went on though, Emmaus’ stronger and deeper bench made the difference. Leah Zellner scored three goals for Emmaus (12-0, 13-0), while Emily Ingalls and Kacie Patton each scored one.

“The key is for us to maintain that balance of offense and defense and to press up when we’re in the offensive zone and for everybody to bounce back and recover,” said Saul. “In the second half that wasn’t as evident, but how we’re playing together and communicating is even better than last season.”

Northampton’s freshman goalkeeper, Cassie Borzillo, turned aside 20 shots and the Northampton defense had six defensive saves to their credit in the game.

Emmaus provided the toughest competition that Northampton will face in the regular season and Saul is using how they played in the first half as an example of how she wants her team to perform the rest of the way.

“We have six regular season games left and every team that we’re playing is an Emmaus, because that’s how we’ve got to play,” she said.

Northampton was able to shake off the loss and get right back to their winning ways with a 10-0 blanking of Pocono Mountain East.

“My team has continued to gel and grow together and the seniors are great leaders and leading by example and picking up everybody’s level. We’re playing a much more balanced offense this year as well as our defense. Tori Unangst has been a great center-back for us, she’s very patient and works the ball wide and the girls are playing great,” said Saul of her team’s progress over the season.

Northampton plays at Parkland (7-4-1, 7-6-1) Thursday and then hosts Nazareth (4-8, 4-9) for Senior Day on Monday before finishing the regular season next Thursday at Whitehall (5-6-1, 6-6-1).