HUNTINGTON, PA- Three different Eagles got into the scoring column as the men's soccer team netted its first victory of the season with a 3-0 win over St. Vincent College on Tuesday afternoon at Winton Hill Field. Juniata's record is now 1-2 while the Bearcats fall to 0-3.
In the 30th minute, Chandler Steffen (Lewisberry, PA/Red Land) got the Eagles on the board. Steffen collided with Bearcat goalkeeper Eric Houghton, who made a play on the ball, but Steffen got the best of him as he scored into an empty net to give Juniata a 1-0 lead.
Juniata nearly went up 2-0 less than a minute later when Adam Heller's (Rockville, MD/Colonel Zadak Magruder) shot was deflected away by Houghton. Steven Guetzlaff (Schnecksville, PA/Parkland) and Nick Stone-Weiss (North Olmstead, OH/North Olmstead) also had a connection in the 35th minute, but Stone-Weiss' shot was wide of the goal. The two teams were even in shots, 8-8, in the first half.
In the second frame, the Eagles increased their lead just over four and a half minutes in. Steven Stroup (Bedford, PA/Bedford) passed to Robby Higgins (Middletown, PA/Lower Dauphin) in front of the goal and he hit a strike to the left corner of the net for a 2-0 advantage.
On the restart, the Eagles controlled possession again and had two shots blocked. On the second attempt, Stone-Weiss collected his own rebound and blasted it in to make it 3-0.
Head coach Dan Dubois was happy with the outcome. "It was a good win," he said afterwards. "We are a little low on numbers but it's a good sign and they are a talented group of kids."
Juniata ended the game with a 23-15 lead in shots. The team had six corners to St. Vincent's' four.
Blaine Barcsh (Englewood, CO/Cherry Creek) was busy in goal as he turned away six shots. Houghton had seven saves.
The men return to action next Tuesday on the road when they travel to Mt. Aloysius. Game time will be at 4 p.m.
