By: Laura Chapman
Assistant Sports Information Director
chapmal@juniata.edu • juniatasports.net
BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Juniata College men's soccer team played a grueling chess match against D'Youville College and came away with the 2-0 victory. The Eagles have yet to allow a goal in their first three matches.
"It was a difficult tactical day because the field was much more narrow than the way our game plan is designed, but the guys adapted very well," said head coach Dan Dubois. "They worked hard to find a way to make our game plan work and we came out with the win."
Freshman Dani Meyer-Arrivillaga (Durham, N.C./Carolina Friends) scored what ultimately was the game winning goal. In the 19th minute of the match, Meyer-Arrivillaga took a pass from senior Seth Ruggiero (Bangor, Pa./Bangor) and launched a shot from 30 yards out. The ball sailed over the hands of the D'Youville keeper and into the upper right corner of the goal.
"Seth came up really big for us today," said Dubois. "D'Youville had a game plan that we saw right away. They were going to sit back and defend and look for counter attacks to try and score. That can be hard to handle, but Seth was right there every time and cut off their attacks early before anything could happen. He was great all day long."
Freshman Aaron Kulig (Green Lane Pa./Boyertown) added the insurance goal just 10 minutes later. After a corner kick, Kulig gathered a pass from sophomore Dylan Thompson (Broomfield, Colo./Peak to Peak Charter) and was able to finish his shot from outside the 18-yard box.
The Eagles defense held strong to earn its third shutout victory with nine saves in the match.
"That really comes from everyone executing what they need to," said Dubois. "The backs have been stopping the other team's attack, the midfielders have been fighting for possession and not turning the ball over, and the strikers have been able to pressure the opposing defense. It's really everyone doing what they need to and that's really promising - I think we're only going to get better from here."
Juniata plays its first home match Friday, Sept. 7th at 4 p.m. on Winton Hill Field against Mt. Aloyisus.
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