The Emmaus High School girls soccer team won a lot of games during the 2025 season, although it was unable to claim any championship hardware.

The Hornets finished 18-4 overall and 15-1 in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, advancing to both the semifinal rounds of the EPC and District 11 4A Tournaments.

“Overall, I think our season was a strong one and something the whole program can be proud of,” said head coach Chris Hain. “We put together an outstanding regular season — consistently playing at a high level, staying organized, and showing how dangerous we could be in all phases of the game. The group was disciplined, focused, and really committed to doing things the right way every day. Of course, we did fall a bit short of our ultimate postseason goals, and that part stings because we knew what this team was capable of.

“But even in that disappointment, there’s a lot to take pride in. The way the players responded to challenges, supported each other, and kept raising the standard says a lot about who they are. In the end, it was a season filled with growth, toughness, and moments that showed the true identity of Emmaus soccer. We didn’t get everything we wanted, but we built something solid — and the foundation for what comes next is even stronger because of it.”

After defeating Freedom as the third seed in the quarterfinal round of districts, the last game of the season was a 3-1 defeat at the hands of eventual champion Nazareth in the semifinals.

“Offensively, they were efficient,” Hain said. “They didn’t need a ton of opportunities — they capitalized on the moments they did get. Whether it was a quick transition, a set piece or just taking advantage of a small lapse, they made their chances count. That kind of sharpness in key moments is often what decides playoff games. They also played with a lot of energy and confidence. You could see it in their work rate, their pressure on the ball, and the way they competed in 50/50s.

“That being said though, we had some really good chances in the first 10 minutes and then again in the second half, but just couldn’t finish our opportunities - some days it’s just not your day. In the end, they executed their style better than we executed ours that night. It’s a credit to them—they played a disciplined, opportunistic game, and that’s what allowed them to come away with the win, but we never gave up and continued to play through the final whistle.”

The offense was led by junior Lizzie Bender, who finished with 21 goals and 32 assists. Junior Giuliana Meyer recorded 15 goals and nine assists. Sophomore Ella Scharper tallied 12 goals and 10 assists. Junior Hannah Berk notched eight goals and six assists. Each of juniors Sofia Isaksson and Erynn Stephens, along with sophomore Celeste Peralta had six goals. Senior Sadie Wallace made 70 saves in goal.

There are just six seniors graduating from the team, including Wallace, Atlanta Bogert, Andrea Dolcemascolo, Bailey Johnson, Kyana Deabreu and Emma Paradise.

“What made this senior group special wasn’t just their talent, but their leadership,” said Hain. “They showed the younger players what it means to play soccer for Emmaus, to respond to adversity and to hold yourself and your teammates to a high standard. They brought maturity, resilience and a calm confidence that helped us navigate big games and big moments.

“Beyond soccer, they were the kind of people every coach hopes to have — selfless, supportive and proud to represent Emmaus. They embraced their roles, pushed each other to be better, and created an environment where everyone felt valued. The success we had this year is directly tied to the foundation they built. It’s never easy to say goodbye to a group like this, but the legacy they leave behind is something the younger players can build on for years. This senior class elevated our expectations, strengthened our culture, and truly left the program better than they found it.”

Hain will have most of his roster and starting lineup back for a run in 2026.

“What excites me most about next season is the potential this returning group has and the foundation we’ve already built,” he said. “We aren’t starting from scratch—our players now understand the standard, the expectations, and the level of intensity it takes to compete at the top of this conference. That experience is invaluable. We have a strong core coming back, including players who stepped into bigger roles this year and grew tremendously. Their confidence, maturity, and understanding of our system will allow us to hit the ground running. I’m especially excited to see how some of our younger players continue to develop; they showed glimpses of what they can become, and with a full offseason of training, they’re ready to take the next step.

“Another thing I’m looking forward to is the hunger this group will bring. Falling a bit short of our postseason goals has given them a real edge—they want to prove something, not just to other teams, but to themselves. That kind of motivation can be a powerful driving force.”