HUNTINGDON, PA – The Juniata women's soccer team pushed through the rain to take a 3-1 victory over the St. Vincent Bearcats Tuesday afternoon. The Eagles improved to 5-3-1 with the win.
Juniata is just three goals and one victory away from meeting last year's totals in their respective categories.
Head coach Scott McKenzie credits the team's success to their character.
"They're not flashy," McKenzie said. "They're just hardworking players. This team supports and challenges each other in a way that we haven't seen here for a few years. They're committed to working hard and pushing each other to improve."
Juniata got on the board early on a goal from freshman Wynter Adams (Houtzdale, PA / Moshannon Valley). Adams took the rebound from a saved shot taken by Jessica Zavadak (Lebanon, PA / Cedar Crest) moments before to put the Eagles up 1-0 in the 7th minute of play. This was Adams' first collegiate goal. She has two assists this season.
Later in the period, a foul inside the box would draw a penalty kick for Juniata. Devin Kos (Bellefonte, PA / Bellefonte Area) drilled the shot into the right side of the net past the Bearcats' keeper and the Eagles would take a 2-0 lead with roughly 12 minutes left in the half.
The score remained 2-0 until later in the second half when Kos found Olivia Claycomb (Saxton, PA / Tussey Mountain), who netted the goal. The goal was Claycomb's first of the season and fourth in her career.
Juniata carries a two-game win streak into Saturday's conference match against the Scranton Royals. Scranton holds a 6-2-1 overall record and is 1-0 in conference play. The Royals have given up just three goals this season.
"Scranton is a big, physical, athletic team," McKenzie said. "It's going to be a very good match-up. Their strengths and our strengths will collide in a really cool place."
Juniata averages 17.7 shots per game and 1.7 goals per game. Against the Bearcats, they held an 18-16 advantage in shots and an 8-3 advantage in corner kicks.
Haley Briggs (Hanover, PA / South Western) got the start in goal for the Eagles. Briggs record three saves in goal and earned the win between the posts. Shannon Kriz (Breinigsville, PA / Parkland) came in to play the second half. Kriz made five saves and allowed one goal.
The defense surrounding the keepers continues to be solid for Juniata. Between the starting backs and substitutions, eight different players were in the backfield for the Eagles Tuesday. The defenders stay with their opponents and do a good job at taking control of the field.
"We are a very good, tight defensive team with a lot of depth," McKenzie said. "It makes it hard for our opponents to press against us. The more experience and depth you have, the better you're going to be."
The Eagles and Royals face off on Winton Hill following the men's soccer game on Sat. Oct. 3 at roughly 3:30pm.
