By: Laura Chapman
Assistant Sports Information Director
chapmal@juniata.edu • juniatasports.net
Photo: Jennifer Jones
GREENSBURG, Pa. – In its final non-conference match of the regular season, the Juniata College men's soccer team overcame an early deficit to defeat Pitt-Greensburg (UPG) 3-1. Senior Evan Decker (New Berlin, Pa./Mifflinburg) scored the game-tying and game-winning goals for his first and second tallies of the year.
In just the fourth minute of play, UPG jumped on the board when the Bobcats bounced on a rebound to put the Eagles in an early 1-0 hole. The two teams fought through the next 35 minutes with both teams earning scoring chances, but failing to capitalize. With five minutes left in the first half, Decker finished a rebound of his own to send the teams into halftime tied at one goal apiece. Juniata outshot UPG 10-4 in the first half.
Decker struck again, for the game-winning goal, just five minutes after the second whistle when he found the back of the net off a rebounding shot from classmate Dane Azeles (Duncansville, Pa./Hollidaysburg). The Eagles continued to pound to Bobcats goal firing off 14 shots in the second half to outshoot UPG by a total of 24-7.
Juniata tacked on an insurance goal in the 68th minute when junior Robby Higgins (Middletown, Pa./Lower Dauphin) finished a shot far post for his third goal of the year to put the Eagles up 3-1. The Bobcats out cornered Juniata 4-1, but the Eagles were equal to the challenge and improved to 10-2-2 on the year.
Juniata will next face Moravian College in Landmark Conference play this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in Bethlehem, Pa. The Eagles return home Saturday Nov. 2, in the second half of a Landmark doubleheader with the women's program against Drew University at 3:30 p.m.
Follow Your Eagles! Stay up-to-date on your Juniata College Eagles by following us on twitter (@JuniataEagles) and on Facebook (Juniata Eagles).
