By: Laura Chapman
Assistant Sports Information Director
chapmal@juniata.edu • juniatasports.net
GREENVILLE, Pa. – The Juniata College men's soccer team opened the 2013 season today with a decisive 3-0 win over Thiel College. Three different Eagles scored during the match and overall Juniata outshot Thiel 25-5.
"We played really well," said head coach Dan Dubois, entering his seventh season at the helm of Juniata men's soccer. "The guys had the feeling last year of starting off with a tough loss after out shooting the opponent. This time around they got the win and are starting off the season well. They are very happy with themselves and I'm pleased with the way they played."
The action started for Juniata right from the kick off. In the first minute of play, Juniata fired off a shot and, just three minutes later, senior Dane Azeles (Duncansville, Pa./Hollidaysburg) struck for the first score of the match. Azeles collected a through ball played to him by junior Robby Higgins (Middletown, Pa./Lower Dauphin) and was able to beat the keeper far post for the goal.
"Dane put himself in a good position. He was one-on-one with the goalkeeper and he was able to make it count," said Dubois. "He's a talented guy and he's starting out right where he left of at the end of last season, which is exactly what we expected of him."
Only a handful of minutes later, senior Andy Blunk (State College, Pa./State College) chased down a through ball, clashing with Thiel's Corey Meyers, but the keeper held onto the ball to keep the Eagles lead at one. As the attacks continued for Juniata, Thiel mounted an offensive push as well. The Eagles defense, bolstered by freshman Steven Guetzlaff (Schnecksville, Pa./Parkland), kept the Tomcats at bay, allowing just three shots in the first half.
"The young guys have played really well," stated Dubois. "They've bought into our system and I'm really pleased with their progress. Guetzlaff was steady at right back all game and our two keepers combined for a shutout, which is great to see."
Freshman Jonathan Phillips (Bangor, Pa./Bangor) made the start in goal for the Eagles, playing 45 minutes of scoreless soccer. At the half, classmate Blaine Barsch (Englewood, Colo./Cherry Creek) took over and finished out the game with two saves to preserve the shutout.
In the 24th minute, Juniata added to its lead. Freshman Aaron Kulig (Green Lane Pa,/Boyertown) jumped on a ball from sophomore Dylan Thompson (Broomfield, Colo./Peak to Peak Charter) to net his first collegiate goal. The offense didn't stop there. The Eagles launched a flurry of attacks and outshot Thiel 12 to three, entering halftime with a 2-0 lead.
The Tomcats started off the second-half flying around the field looking to catch the Eagles napping and narrow Juniata's lead. But the Eagles back line held strong and Barsch was good for the save. In the 61st minute freshman Steven Stroup (Bedford, Pa./Bedford) took possession of the ball at midfield. He fed the ball into junior Nick Stone-Weiss (North Olmsted, Ohio/North Olmsted), who found open space above the Thiel keeper and into the goal.
The final ten minutes of the match saw continued strong offensive play form the Eagles. Stone-Weiss looked like he might get his second goal, but Meyers came off his line and snatched the ball out of the air and away from the threatening Juniata forwards.
The Eagles move to 1-0 on the year, Thiel fall to 0-1. Juniata men's soccer is next in action Tuesday, Sept. 3rd at D'Youville. The Eagles home opener is set for Thursday, Sept. 12 versus Mt. Aloysius at 4 p.m. on Winton Hill Field.
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