HUNTINGDON, Pa.- The Juniata men's soccer team used a pair of first-half goals to edge visiting Denison, 2-1, Friday evening at a loud Gibbel Stadium.
In the 31st minute, Michael Realbuto (Collegeville, Pa. / Methacton) played in a ball from the right side and Jarrod Gibson (Abington, Pa. / Abington) beat the keeper to net the first Eagle goal of the season.
Four minutes later, a long throw from the right side by Mark Wolf (Lebanon, Pa. / Cedar Crest) wound up at the foot of Blake Cassel (Hummelstown, Pa. / Lower Dauphin) and he poked home his first collegiate goal to double the Eagle lead.
Goal by Blake Cassel from Mark Wolf! Eagles lead Denison, 2-0! #wingsup pic.twitter.com/jNXFCM9Uwk
— Juniata Athletics (@JuniataEagles) August 30, 2019
Denison got one back midway through the second half, when a shot squeaked by Andrew Yeich (Middletown, Pa. / Middletown Area). He was called upon to make one more stop, in the 81st minute, as he ended the night with four saves.
The Eagles looked to put the game out of reach late, as they had a pair of good opportunities they could not convert. In the 84th minute, Wyatt Page sent a free-kick from just outside the box narrowly over the crossbar. A little over a minute later, Bass Diakhoumpa (Dakar, Senegal / Mercersburg Academy) got the ball on the break and attempted a shot from range, but the keeper stopped it.
The Eagles have a quick turnaround as they will take on Transylvania, Saturday at 3:00.
