Dan Sherman

Asst. SID

Juniata College

814-641-3513

Huntingdon, Pa., After defeating Susquehanna for the first time in 22 years earlier in the week, the Juniata College Men's Soccer team fell to the Goucher Gophers on Saturday. The men took a 2-0 lead into the second half, but saw their defense allow four Gopher goals in the last forty-five to steal a victory and spoil Senior Day.

The offense has struggled all season to get things going consistently, but that has changed over the last few weeks. After coming alive offensively for three goals against Penn State Berks earlier in the week, the Eagles continued to stay hot on attack, finding the net four times against Susquehanna on Wednesday and twice more today. Steven Stroup (Bedford, PA / Bedford) and senior Robby Higgins (Middletown, PA / Lower Dauphin) each scored for the Eagles. Stroup scored the games first goal on an assist from Dani Meyer-Arrivillaga (Durham, NC / Durham Friends) to give Juniata an early lead. A Goucher own goal put the Blue and Gold ahead by two heading into the break.

Goucher quickly cut the lead to one, scoring 10 minutes in the second half. Six minutes later, Higgins redirected a free kick from Dylan Thompson (Broomfield, CO / Peak to Peak Charter) to put the Eagles back on top by two. The Eagles defense had been the team's strength all season, but failed to hold on to the lead, allowing three Goucher goals in the final twelve minutes of play to lose the lead and the match.

Juniata is now 5-12 on the season, and 2-5 against Landmark opponents. The team will return to action on Wednesday, hosting Pitt-Greensburg at Winton Hill Field in non-conference play. The match is set to begin at 1 pm.