HUNTINGDON, Pa.- Sarah Bilheimer (Bethlehem, Pa./Freedom) became the fourth player in Juniata field hockey history to record 100 points as the Eagles shutout Moravian 5-0 on Tuesday night at Knox Stadium. The win improves JC's record to 8-5 overall and 4-1 in the Landmark. The Greyhounds drop to 4-11 overall and 0-5 in the conference.
Bilheimer joins Kim Wagner (184), Paula Price (122), and Kim Anrod (100) as the only players to hit the century mark in points. With 104 points, she is now all alone in third place in team history.
Bilheimer scored three times and added an assist to tally seven points on the night. She now has 14 goals on the season, which is a new season high, and she tied her season high of eight assists. Her 39 career goals puts her in a three-way tie for third all-time and her 26 assists is now second all-time.
"When a player reaches a crescendo like this, it's a reminder of all the moments that occurred with the teammates she has had to make it happen," said head coach Caroline Gillich. "This is a night for JCFH current players and Alums to celebrate that we have helped raise one more teammate to reach such heights."
The game was deadlocked at 0-0 for the majority of the first half. The Eagles were able to get off some shots but Moravian goalkeeper Megan Kanyuk came up with eight saves. Juniata was finally able to breakthrough in the 30th minute when Bilheimer snuck in a shot from the left side of the cage to put JC ahead 1-0.
Juniata blew the game open with four scores in the second half. Allison Groft (Hanover, Pa./South Western) scored off a pass from Cory Yerger (Northumberland, Pa./Shikellamy) to make it 2-0. Groft then assisted Bilheimer on her second goal of the contest to put her over 100 points.
Bilheimer returned the favor in the 53th minute as she assisted Groft to make it 4-0 Juniata. Bilheimer finished her night with an goal off an assist from Becca Waite (West Grove, Pa./Avon Grove) in the 55th minute.
Kylie Edwards (Danville, Pa./Danville), Santana Mays (Parkton, Md./Hereford), and Jess Gray (Bordentown, NJ/Bordentown Regional) all saw time in goal for the Eagles to share the shutout. Kanyuk finished with 17 saves.
Juniata dominated in shots, 33-1 and in penalty corners, 13-1. The Eagles committed more fouls than Moravian, 45-30.
"Tonight was a great win for so many reasons, remarked Gillich. "We have been battling illness and injury from critical players all season and again we reinvented ourselves successfully. We saw every healthy player take part on the field in our win and shutout. We had players rise to the occasion in new positions. Today we took another step closer towards our goal of competing for the 2015 Landmark Conference Championship."
The Eagles host Goucher this Saturday at Knox Stadium on Senior Day. Game time will be at 5 p.m.
