HUNTINGDON, Pa.-The men's soccer team scored late via a penalty and hung on to defeat Alleghany, 2-1, Friday evening at a boisterous Gibbel Stadium.
Bass Diakhoumpa (Dakar, Senegal/Mercersburg Academy) scored his first college goal via a penalty that was won by Nathan Woods (Huntingdon, Pa./Huntingdon Area). Wyatt Page (King of Prussia, Pa./Shipley) scored once off an assist by Matt Matylewicz (York, Pa./Central York).
Four minutes in, it appeared the Eagles had found their first goal of the season but the goal was disallowed due to offsides. In the 16thminute, the Gators looked to have found a goal of their own, but they too were offsides. A couple minutes later, a booming punt by Andrew Yeich (Middletown, Pa./Middletown Area) bounced over a defender, Woods gathered the ball and fired a shot but the keeper stopped it.
26 minutes in, Juniata committed a foul in the box, and the Highlanders converted the PK to take a 1-0 lead.
In the final seconds of the first half, Jacob Grove (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin HS) sent in a cross from the right wing that Diakhoumpa met with his head at the back post, but it went high. Alleghany went into the half up 1-0, but with Juniata holding a 6-3 edge in shots.
46 seconds into the second half Matylewicz set up Page who smashed the ball into the net to even the score line at one.
The second half only grew in intensity as three yellow cards were handed out. Juniata held an 8-5 shooting advantage in the second half as both teams looked dangerous but couldn't find a breakthrough. In the 88thminute, Woods was dragged down in the box and Diakhoumpa buried the ensuing PK.
After the game head coach Dan DuBois talked about the match and the PK decision. "The guys deserved to get this win. Wyatt makes the call on the field for PK's. Bass said he wanted it and Wyatt let him take… gutsy for a freshman."
The Eagles return to action at home tomorrow against Wilson at 7:00.