Riker Nets Hat Trick as Eagles Fall to Monarchs

Paige Riker netted a hat trick as the Eagles fell to King's in a non-conference game.
Paige Riker netted a hat trick as the Eagles fell to King's in a non-conference game.

HUNTINGDON, Pa.- The Juniata women's lacrosse team dropped a 15-6 decision to King's College, Wednesday afternoon at Gibbel Stadium.

The scoring started early for King's as they got on the board less than a minute into the game. At the 23 minute mark, Juniata got on the board with a free position shot by Paige Riker (Sussex, N.J. / Vernon Township). Two minutes later, Riker striked again with an assist from Arielle Danchenko (Palm City, Fla. / South Fork). In ten minutes, the Monarch's added five more goals to take the lead, 6-2. Andrea Insalaco (Woodlyn, Pa. / Ridley) found Talia Bertrando (York, Pa. / York Suburban) who found the back of the net with three minutes left in the first half. Going into the second half the Monarchs led the Eagles, 6-3. 

The second half saw Juniata strike first with a woman up. Danchenko found Natalie Gibson (Annapolis, Md. / Broadneck) for the Eagles fourth goal. Four minutes later, King's tacked on two more goals. Midway through the second half Riker scored her third goal of the game to complete her hat trick. Riker found the net with no time left on the shot clock. King's tallied the next seven goals to secure their win. With two minutes left in the game, Danchenko found the net for JC's final goal of the game. 

Isabella Medaris (Monroe, Conn. / Masulk) had a season high 12 saves in the goal for the Eagles. 

The Eagles had less turnovers as they had 14 to the Monarchs 17, but King's had a commanding 19-4 edge in draw controls.