Huntingdon, Pa.- The Juniata men's soccer team picked up a massive 1-0 win against visiting Moravian University Saturday afternoon at Gibbel Stadium. The win means Juniata will finish the season as the top overall team in the conference, earning them a bye into the Landmark Semifinals and ensuring that the postseason runs through Gibbel Stadium.
Shawn Tanaka scored for the Eagles, his sixth of the season. Gavin Rauhut had the assist, which was his seventh of the season. Maxwell Mattioni made two saves in goal.
A hard-fought first half didn't see many shots, as the Eagles got two shots off to Moravian's one.
Eight minutes into the second half, Rauhut curled a ball from the left side into the box, and Tanaka leapt and headed the ball past the keeper.
Juniata had their chances in the second half, taking eight shots, but the Greyhound keeper saved them.
A rambunctious second half featured seven cards, including Brandon Marzula's second yellow, so Juniata had to see off the game with ten men in the final three minutes.
The win is the Eagles' 10th of the season, marking the second time in program history they have won double-digit games. The last time was the 2013 season, when the team went 13-6-3 and advanced to the Landmark Conference Championship.
The win locks in the top overall seed for the postseason, which means the Eagles will host the winner of the #4 seed vs. the #6 seed on Thursday, November 7th, at Gibbel Stadium.
Juniata will conclude regular season play next Saturday at the University of Catholic at 3:30.
