The Emmaus field hockey team’s quest for a 16th state title continued last week when the Hornets opened play in this year’s state tournament.

Coming off it’s 37th straight District 11 title, Emmaus opened the tournament with wins in its first two games to reach this week’s state semifinals.

The Hornets beat District 1’s fifth-place team, Avon Grove, Saturday in the state quarterfinals, 4-1 at Perkiomen Valley High School.

The Hornets dominated possession early in the game Saturday and had five corner opportunities in the game’s first 20 minutes, although only one resulted in a shot on goal.

On the Hornets’ sixth corner of the game Riley Povilaitis deflected a shot by Gracie Huffer into the cage for a 1-0 lead with 1:38 left in the first half.

Emmaus went ahead 2-0 when Ella Horner scored, assisted by Madi Lenig, with 4:34 left in the third quarter.

“We really stepped it up in the second half,” said Emmaus senior Morgann Orobono. “We always say to have high energy and that really helped us.”

The Red Devils cut into the lead when Addison Diienno scored to make it 2-1 with 4:05 left in the third quarter.

Emmaus (25-1) responded by earning four corners in the first seven minutes of the fourth quarter. Povilaitis scored her second goal of the game, assisted by Orobono, with 7:45 left in the game.

Addison Povilaitis made it 4-1 when she slammed home a rebound of an Ella Horner shot that hit the post.

“It has to go through everybody to get to me,” said Addison Povilaitis. “I was just there to finish it at the end.”

Avon Grove (22-2) had a chance to cut into the lead when it earned a penalty stroke with 3:18 left in the second half. But Emmaus goalie Emily Romano made a left-handed glove save on a shot headed for the top right corner of the cage.

“She came out and made a great glove save,” said Emmaus head coach Butz-Stavin. “That was super.

“We’re moving on. Proud of the girls. We just worked through everything today.”

Emmaus outshot the Rams 16-7 in the game and had 15 corners to AG’s two. Romano made six saves while the Rams’ Kylee Mellott made 11.

The win put Emmaus in Tuesday’s state semifinal against District 1 champ Villa Maria Academy (22-2). It’s a rematch of last year’s state semi that was won by Villa Maria in overtime.

Emmaus opened the state tournament last Tuesday with a 5-0 win over District 1 sixth-place team Garnet Valley.

Horner scored two goals and assisted on one in the win. Sharlise Salano, Addison Povilaitis and Huffer also had goals against Garnet Valley. Lenig had a pair of assists and Horner and Orobono had one assist each.

The Hornets earned 19 corners to five for GV, while outshooting the Jaguars 28-6. Romano made two saves while Aiko Price made three for Emmaus.