Dan Sherman
Asst. SID
Juniata
814-641-3513
Huntingdon, PA - After defeating Catholic in the Landmark Conference Championship game, the Juniata field hockey team will host Gwynedd-Mercy in the first round of the 2014 NCAA Division III Field Hockey Championship on Wednesday, Novemeber 12th. This marks the team's first tournament appearance since the 2010 season.
The Eagles began and ended their week by handing the Cardinals their only two conference losses of the season. Freshman Katie Alexander (Mifflinburg, PA / Mifflinburg) scored the game winning golden goal on a one-timer from Allison Groft (Hanover, PA / South Western) to win the game and claim the title for the first time in four years. The shot was the only one of the game for the Eagles, but it was all they needed. Alexander was named the MVP of the game.
The 15-3 Cardinals had won the previous three Landmark championships. Catholic is ranked 7th overall in the nation and is the number one seed in the region, earning a first round bye in the tournament.
Gwynedd-Mercy, 15-5, defeated Cabrini 5-1 to claim their fourth straight Colonial States Athletic Conference Championship. Junior Stephanie Bacho (Cinnaminson, NJ / Holy Cross) scored three goals to earn MVP honors.
The Eagles defense, led by seniors Tori Buser (Allentown, PA / Parkland) and Julianne Jones (Middleburg, PA / Midd-West) has carried the team throughout the year. Buser and Kelsey Leibelsperger (Fleetwood, PA / Fleetwood) have anchored the defense, making big defensive saves and coming up in big moments time and again for the Eagles. Jones has continued to prove why she is one of the best, if not the top goalie in the nation. The keeper has a .77 goals against average and .865 save percentage, leading the conference in both categories. Her goals against average during the regular season was the 8th best in all of Division III, while her save percentage was third. She has made 77 saves in 19 games. Jones earned her first shutout of the season at a crucial time, blanking the Cardinals in the 1-0 win in the title game.
Juniata is led on offense by forwards Sarah Bilheimer (Bethlehem, PA / Freedom), Groft, and Alexander. Bilheimer and Groft share the team lead in goals scored with ten. The juniors have 8 and 5 assists respectively. The pair is tied for 4th in the conference in goals scored, while Bilheimer is tied for the Landmark lead in assists. She assisted Groft and later scored the game-winning golden goal against Catholic in the final game of the regular season. Only a freshman, Alexander has carried herself like an upperclassman. The rookie is third on the team in goals with six, none of them bigger than Saturday's game winner. Alexander also has three assists.
The Eagles will play Gwynedd-Mercy for the first time in program history. A pair of juniors also leads the Griffins on attack, with Bacho and Katie O'Neill (Newtown, PA / Council Rock North) each scoring double-digit goals. Bacho leasds her team with 21, while O'Neill has found the cage 12 times this season. Freshman Melissa Russo (Saylorsburg, PA / Pleasant Valley) has scored 11 goals and added 11 assists in her rookie campaign. Senior goalkeeper, Kelly Kruk (Phoenixville, PA / Methacton) is a four-year starter. This season she posted a career best .784 save percentage.
The winner of Wednesday's game will advance to play 18-2 Wellesley at Salisbury on Saturday, the 15th. Game time from Knox Stadium is scheduled for 5 pm.
