The Emmaus High School boys soccer team had enjoyed an unblemished campaign through most of this pandemic-shortened season that is the fall of 2020. The Green Hornets had won their first nine games of the year, outscoring opponents 31-2 in their 9-0 start.

But just as rivalry games often do, the match with Parkland Monday night proved to be a nuisance. The Trojans found the back of the net in each half and did just enough to keep a shutout as they downed Emmaus 2-0 in Eastern Pennsylvania Conference action at Parkland High School.

“It was evident we didn’t play well, but we still control our own destiny,” said Hornet head coach John Cari. “We can determine our seed for districts. We have a chance to make adjustments and start fresh on Thursday. It wasn’t pretty, but we move on.”

The Green Hornets and Trojans are playing in the Lehigh Division, which also includes Dieruff, Allen, Central Catholic and Whitehall. Each team plays against each other twice, home and away. Emmaus (9-1 overall) had taken care of the four other teams in the division both times with ease, but Parkland (8-1), which has now won eight straight, was able to slow down Emmaus and continue the streak of its own.

Max Coleman scored both goals for the Trojans, one coming off a header inside the six-yard box in the first half on a crossing ball from Jack Smith for the game’s opening goal. In the second half, a missed clearance from the back end of the Emmaus defense led to an open-net goal by Coleman and the 2-0 advantage.

“They were aggressive all night and took it to us,” Cari said. “They didn’t sit back and wait. They outworked us, not allowing us to create much offensively. We need to work better on our work rate. I would like to see us come out as hungry as they were. If we can match their work rate, I think we can level the playing field.”

Junior Ty Bleiler started in goal for the Green Hornets and finished with six saves.

Despite the first setback of 2020, Cari is just happy to be able to be coaching his student-athletes and having the sport of soccer competing in general.

“I’m happy we were able to get in this many games,” said Cari. “When we started, I didn’t think we would ever get this far. I am happy we were able to have a season, but as long as we are playing, our eyes are on that district title.”

Emmaus hosts Parkland Thursday at 6:30 in the regular season finale at Memorial Stadium. The district tournament will follow.