By: Jennifer Jones
Director of Sports Information
jonesj@juniata.edu • juniatasports.net
Photo: Jennifer Jones
READING, Pa. – A goal with less than 10 minutes to play in the second half gave Alvernia University the 3-2 edge over Juniata College field hockey Saturday afternoon. Juniata (5-7) is now 3-3 on the road. The Crusaders improved to 7-3 overall with the win.
The Eagles outshot Alvernia 5-3 in the first half, 4-2 on goal.
Junior Kortney Showers (Aspers, Pa./Biglerville) opened scoring in the 11th minute. Juniata earned a corner 9:53 into the contest. Senior Emma Dahmus (Hummelstown, Pa./Lower Dauphin) took the shot and Crusader keeper Erin Wunsch made the save. Showers stole the ball from the defense after the save and blasted it in from the right, marking her first goal of the year, eighth of her career.
With four minutes left before the break, the Eagles earned their fourth penalty corner of the game. Sophomore Allison Groft (Hanover, Pa./Southern Western) inserted the ball and fellow sophomore Steph Pagliaro (Duncannon, Pa./Susquenita) took a swing on a pass from Dahmus. Wunsch picked up her second save of the game, but Pagliaro followed her shot and put it in to give Juniata the 2-0 lead.
Alvernia's offense came out on fire in the second half, outshooting the Eagles 13-6. The Crusaders tied the game in 50th minute on a diving shot and took the lead 10 minutes later. Margaret Wentzel scored her second goal of the contest in the 61st minute on a breakaway. Junior Shelby Miller (Pottstown, Pa./Owen J. Roberts) made the save on her first shot, but Wentzel followed it in for the game winner.
"Alvernia is definitely a second half team," said head coach Caroline Gillich. "They really stearted to put things together. Their layers were better than ours."
Junior Julianne Jones (Middleburg, Pa./Midd-West) split time in the cage with Miller. She finished with a game-high and career-tying six saves.
"Both goalkeepers played well," added Gillich. "It was just some difficulties in transition into the defense that created some openings for Alvernia to take some shots."
Juniata returns home this coming Wednesday, Oct. 9 as they face Landmark Conference rival Susquehanna University in a 4:30 p.m. match-up.
"Definitely excited to be home for the next conference game," said Gillich. "Playing Susquehanna is always a strong matchup, and physical game. Would love to continue to execute on offensive corners and make the most of scoring opportunities."
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Alvernia is definitely a strong second half team.
