By: Jennifer Jones
Director of Sports Information
jonesj@juniata.edu • juniatasports.net
Photo: JD Cavrich Photography
GREENSBURG, Pa. – Juniata College women's soccer rebounded from an early goal and ran away with a 5-1 decision against Pitt-Greensburg (4-9) on the road Wednesday evening. The Eagles (10-3) are now enjoying their first 10-win season since 2006 and have won three of their last four contests heading into the heart of their Landmark Conference season.
"Very much a team effort," said head coach Scott McKenzie of the win. "They had some girls that were very athletic."
Senior Paula Pryor (Westbrookville, N.Y./Burke Catholic) scored two of the Eagles goals, including the game winner in the 29th minute, and assisted a goal. It was her second multi-goal performance of the season. She currently leads the team in goals and points.
Four different Eagles found the back of the net in the win with four of the five goals having assists. Juniata outshot the Bobcats 30-7, 15-5 on goal, and earned eight corners to Pitt-Greensburg's three. After giving up a goal in the fifth minute, the Eagle defense stepped up to stifle Pitt-Greensburg's offensive production.
"They came out, scored first and were up 1-0," said McKenzie. "We settled in. There was no panic, no great adjustment. It was just be aware, and play on your toes."
The Eagles responded with a goal from senior Rose Lucidi (Bayville, N.Y./Locust Valley). She took a pass from junior Shayna King (Easton, Pa./Easton Area) near post for the equalizer just four minutes after the Bobcats got on the board. Pryor made the game winner on a pass from fellow senior Alicia Snyder (Jonestown, Pa./Northern Lebanon) nearly 20 minutes later. The strike was her third game winner of the season.
Junior Lillian Dudek (Downingtown, Pa./Upattinas School) earned her first goal of the year in the 38th minute. Her shot was deflected past keeper Amanda Hydock after Juniata transitioned out of a Bobcat corner, sending the Eagles into the break with a 3-1 lead.
Juniata would continue to press in the second half, but wouldn't find the back of the net again until the 77th minute. Pryor found freshman Olivia Claycomb (Saxton, Pa./Tussey Mountain) inside the box. Claycomb finished by cranking a shot from just inside the 6-yard mark to earn her first collegiate goal.
It was Pryor who closed out scoring for the Eagles. She took a cross from freshman Taylor Garraffa (Strasburg, Pa./Lampeter Strasburg) into the box and earned her 12th goal of the year.
Sophomore Haley Briggs (Hanover, Pa./South Western) earned the win after spending 75 minutes in goal. She made a team-high three saves and helped organize a defense that kept Pitt-Greensburg scoreless for the remaining 85 minutes of play.
"Haley Briggs played the first 75 minutes in goal and then Erin Gaines finished up," said McKenzie. "I think it was Haley working in concert with her defenders to do a better job of tracking," he added about the shutdown.
The defenders with Briggs and Gaines included reigning Landmark defensive player of the week Devin Kos (Bellefonte, Pa./Bellefonte Area), senior Molly Sellars (Caldwell, N.J./Caldwell), and junior Cara Spiess (Bedford, Pa./Bedford).
Juniata has a tough schedule coming up. The Eagles remain on the road for the next four matches, facing three straight conference opponents. First up is 2012 Landmark runner-up Moravian this Saturday, Oct. 19, followed by Susquehanna and Catholic. They will face Penn State Altoona on the road as well before coming home on Saturday, Nov. 2 to take on Drew in their final match of the regular season. The November 2 contest is also senior day and a doubleheader with the men's team. Juniata is currently 1-1 in conference play.
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