HUNTINGDON, Pa.- The Juniata women's lacrosse team opened the season with a win over visiting Chatham, 23-7, Wednesday evening at Gibbel Stadium.
Isabella Michener (Randolph, N.J. / Randolph H.S.) scored the opening goal of the season just under two minutes into the game. Talia Bertrando (Lititz, Pa. / Warwick) scored two goals less than a minute apart as the Eagles led by three. Taylor Metz (Oaklyn, N.J. / Paul VI H.S.) tacked on her first, Shayla Lapp (Lancaster, Pa. / Lampeter-Strasburg) scored twice on free-position shots, and Bertrando added her third as the JC onslaught continued.
Goals from Michener and Paige Riker (Sussex, N.J. / Vernon Township) made it 9-0 as it appeared Juniata was going to force a running clock before halftime started, but the Cougars had other ideas. Chatham scored three goals over four minutes to make it 9-3.
Juniata was called for a red card with over seven minutes to go in the half, and Michener scored while JC was a woman down to make it 10-3. The Cougars scored again prior to Metz finding Riker for the first assist of the game. Lapp and Bertrando added a goal apiece to send JC into the locker room up 13-4.
Bertrando opened the second half scoring, and Chatham answered, but from then on, it was all Eagles as Juniata went on a 6-0 run over the next 12 minutes. Riker scored off a pass from Michener, Bertrando struck while JC was a woman up and off a free position shot, while Michaela Naccarini (Westminster, Md. / Winters Mill H.S.), Aspen Handel (Richboro, Pa. / Bucks County) and Arielle Danchenko (Palm City, Fla. / South Fork) all added a goal apiece.
Bertrando's goal with 12 minutes to go in the game tied the school record for goals in a single game with eight.
Twenty-three goals are the most Junaita has ever scored in a game.
Juniata outshot Chatham 50-15 and picked up more ground balls, 27-18.
The Eagles will take on Thiel, Saturday at 3:00
