You can tell a lot about a program based on the non-conference games on their schedule. And at this point in the year, with only a handful of games under their belts, those non-conference games can often give the best hints about how the season may play out.
The reigning state champion Emmaus Hornets’ non-conference schedule includes some top-tier opponents, most notably New Jersey’s Oak Knoll, Cumberland Valley, Downington West, and Palmyra. How they perform in those matches will provide some indication of how they compare to teams outside of District XI.
We saw a glimpse of that last weekend when the Hornets took on a strong Oak Knoll team. Oak Knoll won back-to-back NJ state championships in 2024 and 2025, went 22-1 last season and was ranked #1 in NJ and #4 in the nation. After winning their first four games by a combined score of 44-0, this was Emmaus’s first real test.
“We hadn’t had a great amount of challenges starting off the season, so we knew this was going to be our first challenge. Going into it, we realized it was going to have to be a step up,” said Romano.
And step up they did. Emmaus played a strong game throughout, defeating Oak Knoll by a score of 3-2, despite a last minute goal in a comeback effort from Oak Knoll. The performance was highlighted by stellar goalkeeping by senior keeper and Monmouth University-commit Emily Romano and two goals from a new face–sophomore Elin Rainford. These were Rainford’s first goals at the varsity level in what was likely the closest varsity game she has played.
Emmaus after scoring a goal in their 3-2 victory against Oak Knoll on 9/12/26.
As for the EPC teams trying to knock off the Hornets, Easton, who fell to Emmaus in the EPC championship last year, has a non-conference slate that includes Wyoming Seminary (which resulted in a 1-0 loss for the Red Rovers early in the season), Warren Hills Regional and Crestwood. Parkland, who held Emmaus to just a single goal in their 2025 District XI championship 1-0 loss, fell to Wilson West Lawn 3-2 in non-conference play early in the year and will take on Penn Manor and Boyertown in the coming weeks.
In the Colonial League, the District XI AA winner in 2025, Salisbury, who advanced to the Quarterfinal Round of the PIAA AA State Championship last season, took on Oley Valley in a non-conference matchup in the third game of their season, losing by a score of 3-1.
Northwestern, who took the top spot in the Colonial League and in District XI A in 2025, will have their turn against Oley Valley on September 25th–less than a week before they match up against Salisbury for the first time. How the game against Oley goes for Northwestern could provide some insight into how they’ll square up against the Falcons.
In addition to Oley Valley, the Tigers have several other tough non-conference opponents on their schedule, including Palmyra, Parkland, and Crestwood.
The Tigers’ season started strong with three straight shutout wins against Wilson Area, Moravian Academy, and Northern Lehigh. They fell in a tight match 1-0 to Pen Argyl before taking on likely the toughest opponent on their schedule in a non-conference match up against the Palmyra Cougars. Palmyra, which is out of District III, is the reigning PIAA AA State Champion. The Cougars won the match in dominant fashion by a score of 6-0. While not the outcome for which Northwestern was hoping, the game provided the Tigers with a challenge that will help them prepare for their remaining matches.
There are also several key conference matchups worth keeping an eye on in the next month. Salisbury will take on Southern Lehigh on September 28th, just a day before they’ll face Northwestern Lehigh. Southern Lehigh will visit Northwestern Lehigh on September 18th.
Parkland will take on Northampton on September 22nd and then Easton on October 1st. They’ll finish out the regular season hosting Emmaus at 7pm on October 13th. The Trojans may be Emmaus’s toughest opponent in the EPC and District XI.
As for the Hornets, they’re not resting on the laurels of their 2025 state championship.
“It’s great that we won the state championship. And it’s great to celebrate it. But once that new season starts, we kind of let it go and now think about what our new goal is,” said Romano.
That new goal is almost certainly a repeat state championship. If their first non-conference is any indication, they may have a good shot.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Astound or any other agency, organization, employer or company.
