By: Jennifer Jones
Director of Sports Information
jonesj@juniata.edu • juniatasports.net
Photo: Jennifer Jones

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Juniata College field hockey team could not find an answer to Catholic University of America's early first half goal as the Eagles fell 1-0 in the Landmark Conference tournament semifinals Wednesday night in Cardinal Stadium. Juniata (9-11) came into the matchup as the No. 3 seed in the tournament.  Second seeded Catholic (12-5) will now host the University of Scranton in the Landmark Championship game after the Royals upset top seeded Drew 3-2 in overtime.

Seven Eagles played the full 70 minutes in the contest.  Catholic scored the game winner just 13:19 in.  Taylor Elliott took a pass from Colleen Harwood off a rebound and knocked in her fifth goal of the year.

The Eagles offense could never get into a rhythm in the game, but their defense kept things close.

Junior Julianne Jones (Middleburg, Pa./Midd-West) took over the cage in the second half and picked up a game-high six saves.  Continuing her dominant play in the back 20 was sophomore Kelsey Leibelsperger (Fleetwood, Pa./Owen J. Roberts).  She grabbed her seventh defensive save of the season and helped organize a defense that took on 13 Cardinal shots, 11 on goal.

Juniata earned a corner with less than three minutes to play, but could not capitalize.  The Eagles will now wait to see if they earn a spot in the Eastern College Athletic Conference tournament next week.

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