By: Jennifer Jones
Director of Sports Information
jonesj@juniata.edu • juniatasports.net
Photo: Cat Scholl
EDWARDSVILLE, Pa. – The Juniata College field hockey team scored early in its road contest against Wilkes University Tuesday evening, but the Lady Colonels responded with back-to-back goals and held on for the 2-1 win. Wilkes improved to 2-4 overall, while the Eagles dropped to 3-4 on the year. They are now 6-10-2 all-time against Wilkes since the programs began competing in 1976.
Sophomore Sarah Bilheimer (Bethlehem, Pa./Freedom) broke away and touched the ball in past Wilkes keeper Alexis Reed to open scoring in the fifth minute. The strike was her third goal of the season, ninth of her career. She is currently tied for first on the team in points this year.
The Eagle defense then held Wilkes off until the 18th minute when a pass into the middle was converted by Devon Kriebel for the game-tying goal. Kriebel would score the game winner almost six minutes later unassisted.
Juniata went into the break out shooting Wilkes 9-3 having earned four corners to their three.
Down 2-1 halfway through the second half, Juniata's offense pushed into the circle after a corner by the Lady Colonels and Bilheimer took a shot. It was saved by Reed, but the Eagles earned a penalty stroke for a Wilkes error. The potential equalizer sailed high over the cage and the game continued with Juniata pressing on the offensive front.
The Eagles worked to earn another chance to tie it up late in the game. With four minutes remaining, Bilheimer took a shot that rebounded off Reed to junior Mikaela Sloan (State College, Pa./State College). Sloans shot went wide, but the Eagles earned a penalty corner.
Unable to capitalize, they continued to press, earning another corner with 18 seconds remaining in the game. Juniata was passing the ball around the circle to get an angle on a shot when a Wilkes defender snuck into the passing lane and cleared the ball, ending the game.
Juniata continues its road trip in Doylestown, Pa. The Eagles take on Delaware Valley College on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 3 p.m. in what will be a great matchup. This is only the eighth meeting of the two teams. They have been competing since 1976 and Juniata owns the series 5-2 all-time. Delaware Valley is currently 4-2 on the year and boasts a 3-0 record at home. They have outscored opponents 9-6 in Memorial Stadium this season. But the last time the Eagles were in Doylestown, they defeated the Aggies 6-0.
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