HUNTINGDON, Pa. - The Juniata field hockey team fell to a pair of goals in the first quarter and a goal in the fourth quarter to fall 3-0 to Lebanon Valley College on Wednesday night.
The first shot of the contest found the back of the net in the third minute for the Dutchmen, as a shot was deflected in front of the goal and tapped in from two yards out to open the scoring.
Juniata quickly responded with a shot on goal from Kalee Rothermel in the fourth minute before the Dutchmen forced a save from McMullen in the fifth minute.
The second goal came in the ninth minute as a shot in the aftermath of a penalty corner from five yards out found its way past goalkeeper Brittney McMullen to double the advantage.
The Dutchmen tallied three more shots in the quarter, including two on goal in the 15th minute that resulted in two more saves from McMullen.
Juniata opened the second quarter with a barrage of its best scoring chances, as Rothermel fired a pair of 15-yard shots on goal off penalty corners in the 20th and 21st minutes. Morgan Martin also registered a shot on goal in the 25th minute before momentum shifted back towards the Dutchmen.
Lebanon Valley fired two shots in the 26th minute, with one forcing a save from Amanda Puza, who served in goal from the second quarter through the middle stages of the fourth quarter.
Skyler Stevens missed wide on a shot from 15 yards away in the 29th minute to wrap up scoring chances in the first half.
Each side registered a shot apiece in the third quarter, as Brooke Franke's shot from five yards out in the 44th minute was blocked by the Dutchmen defense.
Puza was thoroughly tested by Lebanon Valley in the fourth quarter, as she faced five shots in the first seven minutes of the fourth quarter to earn five saves. Hannah Moore made a defensive save in the 53rd minute moments before the Dutchmen padded their lead with a goal from 15 yards out that found the bottom-left corner.
The Dutchmen outshot the Eagles 18 to seven while putting 13 shots on goal to Juniata's seven. Rothermel led the Eagles in scoring chances with three shots that were on target. Martin had the remaining shot on goal.
Puza totaled six saves in two and a half quarters of play for a .857 save percentage in the game, while McMullen made three saves while serving in goal for 18 minutes.
Juniata's three-game home stand concludes on Saturday, October 8, as the Eagles host Landmark Conference opponent The Catholic University of America. Juniata holds an 11-13 record in the matchup and last scored a victory to secure the 2017 Landmark Conference Championship victory in a 2-1 overtime win.
