HUNTINGDON, Pa. – Great play on both sides of the field led the Juniata field hockey team to its fourth shut out of the season. The Eagles (5-4) defeated Washington & Jefferson (W&J) 2-0 Thursday night on the road. Juniata now leads the series 10-1 all-time against W&J who dropped to 4-4 with the loss.
"We came out fast as a team," said Juniata Head Coach Caroline Gillich.
Juniata earned its first penalty corner 1:31 into the game. They had already taken three shots before the President's took their first in 15th minute.
Junior Emma Dahmus (Hummelstown, Pa./Lower Dauphin) picked up her second goal of the season in the 33rd minute. She dribbled through the defense and beat the President's goalie Kira Bunker to give Juniata the lead through the break.
The score remained at 1-0 until senior Jill McNeish (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield Area) sent a shot in from the top of the circle off a corner inserted by sophomore Kortney Showers (Aspers, Pa./Biglerville). The blast marked McNeish's first goal of the season and Showers' second assist.
Senior Janelle Howard (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) spent over 61 minutes in goal, earning two saves before sophomore Shelby Miller (Pottstown, Pa./Owen J. Roberts) took over for her fourth appearance this year. But she didn't see much action as the defense kept the President's without a shot in the final 31 minutes.
"Players stepped up big," added Gillich. "[They] made the most of their minutes which allowed us to rest a few of our injured players as we prepare for conference play."
Juniata returns home this Saturday, Sept. 29 to face Goucher College at 1 p.m. in their Landmark Conference home opener. This is the sixth time the teams have met since 2007 with Juniata leading the all-time series 6-0.
The Eagles celebrate 40 years of Juniata field hockey on Saturday. Their match will be followed by family friendly clinics and an alumni game. Come celebrate with your Eagles as they pay homage to their rich history.
