HUNTINGDON, PA. Juniata College men's soccer team was defeated by a tough Lycoming team in a 2-0 contest at Winton Hill Field earlier today. Entering the day, the Warriors were the owners of a 5-0-1 record and had yet to allow a goal on the season.
Despite there being zeroes on the board after the first forty-five, both teams had opportunities to score early on. Lycoming's offense flew out of the gates, recording their first shot on goal twenty seconds into the game and another three minutes later with both being saved by Juniata goalie Garrett Lavelle (Eden, NY/Eden).
The Eagles had a good opportunity to score when Aaron Kulig (Green Lane, Pa. / Boyertown) redirected on a free kick from Dylan Thompson (Broomfield, Co. / Peak to Peak Charter). Juniata nearly took the lead a minute before the half on a Chandler Steffen (Lewisberry, Pa. / Red Land) shot that was saved. A Lycoming attack immediately followed, but was thwarted by an offside call. "After the first fifteen minutes, once we started to settle down, we did a decent job", said head coach Dan Dubois on his team's first half play.
Tommy Hanna (Haddonfield, N.J./Haddon Heights) and the Eagles defense played well, relenting to give up a goal until the 72nd minute when Luke Klingler redirected a Jordan Logan shot past James Johnson (Cumberland, Md. / Fort Hill). Fifteen minutes later, Abdullahi Abdi netted an unassisted insurance goal for the Warriors.
Overall Dubois felt that, "[the team] moved the ball fairly well and continued to move the ball well [after the half]. We had opportunities but weren't able to capitalize on them. [Lycoming's defense] tightened up a little bit, we could get good shots. After we gave up the initial goal for them we didn't have much composure. We started just banging the ball along and hoping. Hoping and praying and that's not going to win you games." The coach added that what was important for the team now is getting used to playing under pressure and preparing for Drew, noting, "We're going to be under a lot of pressure. Conference play starts this weekend. Basically, the only shot we have to get to the tournament right now is to win the conference title. So, we're going to have to start making a run at it and it starts this Saturday."
The Eagles are now 2-5 and will host the Rangers on Saturday to begin Landmark Conference competition. Game time from Winton Hill Field will be 1 p.m.
