By: Jennifer Jones
Director of Sports Information
jonesj@juniata.edu • juniatasports.net
Photo: JD Cavrich Photography

HUNTINGDON, Pa. – Juniata College field hockey is heading into the home stretch of its season at 8-8 with a Landmark Conference playoff spot secured. The Eagles face York College in their last mid-week game of the regular season on Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 4 p.m. and are hoping to close out on a win streak leading into the conference tournament.

This will be the 20th meeting between Juniata and the Spartans since the programs began competing in 1984.  The Eagles lead the all-time series 14-4-1, winning nine of the last 10 matchups.  They have outscored the Spartans 15-3 in the last four meetings and are 8-3-1 all-time when facing York in Huntingdon.

Juniata has won two of its last three home games and seen offensive production across the board. Senior Morgan Slovin (Hockessin, Del./Charter School), juniors Mikaela Sloan (State College, Pa./State College) and Kortney Showers (Aspers, Pa./Biglerville), and freshman Rachel Weigel (Duncannon, Pa./Susquenita) each have goals. Sophomore Sarah Bilheimer (Bethlehem, Pa./Freedom) rounds out the point scorers. She assisted Slovin's game winning goal against Moravian.  The Eagles have outshot opponents 41-19 earning 34 corners to opponents 16 over the three games.

Defensively, the Eagles put together a shutout of Susquehanna and have averaged just one goal allowed to opponents. Juniors Julianne Jones (Middleburg, Pa./Midd-West) and Shelby Miller (Pottstown, Pa./Owen J. Roberts) have led the defense, combining for 11 saves and a .786 save percentage. Jones has given up just one goal in three games and owns a 0.94 goals against average.  Miller currently ranks nationally in goals against average and save percentage.

Also earning national recognition are junior Tori Buser (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) and sophomore Kelsey Leibelsperger (Fleetwood, Pa./Fleetwood).  The pair are ranked for defensive saves.  Leibelsperger leads the team and is second in the conference for the stat.

York broke a six-game losing streak with a 3-2 win over Wesley College last Saturday. Senior Kalley Brewer leads the team with eight goals and 19 points. She has taken over 50 shots this season and is second on the team in assists with three.

Sophomore Abby Baker has been the primary goalkeeper for the Spartans.  She has started all 13 of their games and has a 4-8 record. In over, 795 minutes in the cage, she has grabbed 89 saves, but is averaging over four goals allowed per game.

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