HUNTINGDON, Pa.- The Juniata women's lacrosse team picked up their second conference victory as they never trailed in their 16-8 win over visiting Elizabethtown on an extremely windy afternoon at Gibbel Stadium.
Grace Gibbs (Arnold, Md. / Broadneck) led the way for the Eagles as she tallied six goals, an assist, seven ground balls, five draw controls, and five caused turnovers. Her fifth goal of the game pushed her past the 100 points in a career mark, joining Talia Bertrando (Lititz, Pa. / Warwick) on the list. Bertrando also caused problems for the Blue Jay defense to the tune of five goals and an assist to go with two ground balls and a caused turnover. Peyton Goodrich (Reading, Pa. / Berks Catholic) had a steady game for the Eagles as she scored a goal in every quarter to go with two ground balls, five draw controls, and two caused turnovers. Shannon Para (Alexandria, Va. / West Potomac) tacked on a goal, while Shayla Lapp (Lancaster, Pa. / Lampeter-Strasburg) chipped in with an assist, two ground balls, and four draw controls. Kelliann Drummond (Lancaster, Pa. / Lampeter-Strasburg)added an assist, while Chloe Gerhard (Macungie, Pa. / Emmaus) had a strong performance in goal for the Eagles as she made 14 saves.
Gibbs scored on a free position shot while the Eagles had a player advantage due to an Elizabethtown yellow card. Etown tied the score three minutes later, with the teams remaining even until Bertrando took the ball 30 yards, evaded a defender, and slotted home. Goodrich got her first less than a minute later as JC led 3-1 at the end of one.
Gibbs tallied twice while Goodrich scored once, with Lapp and Bertrando providing one assist each Juniata pushed the lead to five. The Blue Jays would get one back as the teams were four goals apart at the half.
Bertrando finds Goodrich to increase the Eagle lead. JC leads 6-2 at the half. #WingsUp #TakingFlight #GoEagles pic.twitter.com/syJuOvQi5J
— Juniata Athletics (@JuniataEagles) April 15, 2022
The third quarter was a high-scoring affair as the teams combined for nine goals, with the Blue Jays scoring three straight to get within three, 9-6, with seven and a half minutes to go in the quarter. Goals from Goodrich and Bertrando sent JC into the fourth with a more comfortable five-goal edge, and they would add to it.
Gibbs scored unassisted, Goodrich scored off a nice pass from Drummond along with unassisted goals from Para and Bertrando as the Eagles opened up a nine-point advantage in the first seven minutes of the fourth. The Blue Jays broke the run with a goal 30 seconds later, but JC maintained their eight-point edge until Etown struck again with under a minute to play. Gibbs scored the game's final goal with around 30 seconds remaining to round out the scoring.
Congrats to Grace Gibbs who scored her 100th career point early in the fourth against Etown. #WingsUp #TakingFlight #GoEagles pic.twitter.com/oFas5pKbfY
— Juniata Athletics (@JuniataEagles) April 15, 2022
The Eagles held a 44-31 edge in shots and a 25-17 advantage in ground balls.
Women's lacrosse will host the 8-5 River Hawks of Susquehanna Wednesday at 6:00.