HUNTINGDON, Pa.- The Juniata men's soccer team played 99 minutes a man down but managed a 0-0 draw against Lancaster Bible, Wednesday evening at Gibbel Stadium.
In the fourth minute, Jacob Grove (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin HS) curled in a cross to Nick Sinapius (Phoenixville, Pa./Phoenixville) who tried to fire a shot, but it was blocked.
In the 11th minute Andrew Yeich (Middletown, Pa./Middletown Area), came sprinting out of his box to deny an onrushing Charger, and the ball took an unfortunate bounce of his hand. He was shown red, and Jacob Owings (Hanover Pa./Littlestown) entered the goal for JC.
In the 37th minute, Jarrod Gibson (Abington, Pa./Abington) first time volleyed a ball from the 18 that forced the Charger keeper into making a save.
Lancaster Bible fired several shots the rest of the half, but none of them were on target.
The teams went into the half with Lancaster Bible holding 10-5 edge in shots and a 2-1 edge in corners.
Two minutes into the second half, Matt Hulsebosch (Lansing, N.Y./Lansing) ripped a shot from the top of the box that forced the LC keeper into making a diving stop.
Five minutes later, a Charger forward got free in the box and put a shot on goal from just a few yards out, but Owings made a fine stop to keep the game even.
In the 65th minute, Lancaster Bible fired a shot that appeared to be going in the net, but Gibson managed to head the ball clear to prevent the goal. The teams were still even by the end of 90 minutes, so overtime was required. The Chargers held an 11-8 edge in the shots during the second half, and Owings was called upon to make six stops during the half.
The best opportunities for JC in the first overtime was in the first few minutes. Nathan Woods (Huntingdon, Pa./Huntingdon Area) battled with a Lancaster Bible back and managed to keep the ball from going over the touch line. He dribbled towards along the end line towards the near post and managed to play the ball into the middle, but to no avail as no white jerseys were to be found.
Two minutes into the second overtime, Mark Wolf (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest) threw the ball into the box from the right side. Woods managed to get his head in the ball amidst the crowd in the box and the ball flew just outside the left post.
In the dying seconds of the match, Woods threw the ball over the Charger defense to an onrushing Grove. He managed to get a shot off, but it flew over the goal.
Owings made six saves in the contest while Yeich had three.
The Eagles will host Moravian to open Landmark play, Saturday at 1:00.
