By: Laura Chapman
Assistant Sports Information Director
chapmal@juniata.edu • juniatasports.net
GREENVILLE, Pa. – It didn't take two full minutes of play before the Juniata College women's soccer team was on the board in its 3-0 victory over Thiel College this afternoon. The Eagles jumped out to an early lead and kept adding on. With a stellar all-around defensive performance, Juniata rolled to its second win in as many days. For the second consecutive game, the Eagles defense did not allow a single shot.
"We talked all preseason about every player on the field attacking and every player on the field defending," said head coach Scott McKenzie. "Defenders attack and even forwards defend. We've improved in denying our opponent the opportunity to serve the ball in for an attack. Everyone is involved in the defensive effort and its working for us."
Just one minute and 48 seconds after kickoff, sophomore Michaela Lacek (New Tripoli, Pa./Northwestern) slotted the ball past the Thiel goaltender for the score – her second on the year.
"Michaela really took to heart the transformation that can happen for a student-athlete between freshman and sophomore year," said McKenzie. "We are seeing the results of her commitment to developing herself as an athlete. She worked really hard over the summer and that is showing."
In the end, one goal was all that was needed for the win, but the Eagles kept pushing. Juniata used its strength to muscle the Tomcats defense. But despite firing off nine shots in the half, the Eagles only tallied the one score and finished the half with a 1-0 lead.
Once again the offensive output for Juniata was spread across the roster. Juniata launched 13 shots in the second half and after 15 minutes of fast play, senior Paula Pryor (Westbrookville, N.Y./Burke Catholic) hammered in the second goal of the match. The Thiel keeper saved the initial shot by junior Lauren Liacouras (Collegeville, Pa./Perkiomen Valley), but Pryor was there for the rebound and made sure the ball found the back of the net.
After a number of close calls, Liacouras would not be denied again. In the 73rd minute, she buried the ball for a goal, becoming the third Eagle to score in the match. Overall, ten different Juniata players came in range of the Thiel goal to launch a shot.
"My assistant, Kaleigh Herring, mentioned the other day that we have a unique situation on our team," explained McKenzie. "We have more high-quality offensive players than we have room on the field for. We're going to score a lot of goals. We can put a lot of players in during the game and they will produce."
In the 82nd minute a Thiel corner looked like the Tomcats might get on the board before the end of the match. But the Juniata backline didn't give in, earning a clean sheet for the day. Freshman Devin Kos (Bellefonte, Pa./Bellefonte Area) has stepped up as a solid leader in the backfield for the Eagles.
"Devin is doing a great job for us in the back," said McKenzie. "She has come in and learned the college game very quickly."
Freshman Erin Mueller (Bedford, Pa./Bedford) played all 90 minutes in goal today. The complete game today, plus the first half of the game against Southern Vermont College, gives Mueller 135 minutes of shutout soccer so far this season.
"Our whole team gets involved in defense for our team and in the end, Erin is the one back there making all the decisions," added McKenzie.
The Eagles have adopted the mantra, "24 for one," for all 24 players playing as one for the team. This has certainly been true through Juniata's first two matches. The Eagles next plays at home Friday, Sept. 6th at 5 p.m. against Waynesburg University.
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