HUNTINGDON, PA – After an electrifying second half performance from the Juniata men's soccer team, the Catholic Cardinals sank the game-winner with just under a minute to play Saturday afternoon. The Cardinals defeated Juniata 3-2.
Catholic's first goal came from their leading goal-scorer, Tyler Zimmerman. Zimmerman took a shot that rebounded into the goal off the left post. Later in the first half, Zimmerman drove down the field and slotted the ball over to Heston Priestley. Preistley scored and the Cardinals were up 2-0.
Juniata came out firing in the second half. Just over a minute into the half, Aaron Kulig (Green Lane, PA / Boyertown) found Max Furman (Great Falls, VA / Langley) in front of the goal and Furman made it a one-goal game. Kulig finished the game with four total shots, three on frame.
In the 58th minute, a handball from the Cardinals gave Juniata a penalty kick and an opportunity to tie the game. Dylan Thompson (Broomfield, CO / Peak to Peak Charter) drilled the shot past Catholic keeper Steven Lukas.
With the game now tied, emotions continued to rise. Both teams were pressuring the goal and it looked like the game was headed into overtime until Zimmerman got ahold of the ball and sank the game-winner.
James Johnson (Cumberland, MD / Fort Hill) was between the posts for JC and recorded two saves.
Catholic finished the game with an 11-10 advantage in shots. The Landmark Conference foes were tied in corner kicks.
Before the match, Juniata recognized their senior class. The Eagles will be losing Johnson, Thompson, Reese Fisher (State College, PA / State College), Chandler Steffen (Lewisberry, PA / Red Land), Sheridan Doan (Baldwin, MD/ Dulaney), Jonah Ruggiero (Bangor, PA / Bangor) and Adam Heller (Rockville, MD / Colonel Zadak Magruder) as they look ahead to the 2016-17 season.
