(Posted October 11, 2008)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- For the second time in as many games, the Juniata College field hockey had the outcome of a contest decided on penalty strokes. This time, however, the Eagles came up short, dropping a 2-1 decision to Drew University on Winton Hill Field in Huntingdon, Pa.

Only two days ago, Juniata downed Alvernia University in a game decided by penalty stroke shootout.

Drew (7-7) got on the scoreboard at the 23:48 mark of the first half, on a goal by Nicole DiBattista with an assist by Elizabeth Law.

Juniata (4-11) knotted the game at 1-1 a mere 46 seconds into the second half, when Caitlyn Bowman (Seven Valleys, Pa./Dallastown) found the back of the Drew cage with an unassisted goal.

Neither team was able to score in 30 minutes of overtime, sending the game to the penalty stroke shootout. The Eagles outshot the Rangers 8-3 over the two overtime periods, including a 4-0 advantage in the second extra session, and Juniata had a 6-1 advantage in penalty corners in the OT frames.

Each squad converted three of their five penalty stroke attempts in the first round. In round two, with each team already having one successful penalty corner, Law beat Juniata goalie Abby Funk (Lewisburg, Pa./Lewisburg) on the Rangers' fourth attempt. Shauna Deschenes (Duncannon, Pa./Susquenita), Juniata's fifth and final shooter of the round, could not convert her stroke attempt and force Drew to shoot again, and the Rangers claimed the victory.

Juniata outshot Drew 14-6 over the entire 100 minutes of play, and had 11 penalty corners to the Rangers' six.
Funk finished the game with three saves, while Drew goalie Stef Rutkowski logged 10 saves.

The Eagles have a week to prepare for their next contest, which will take place on Saturday, Oct. 18, when they host the University of Scranton in a Landmark Conference match.

-30-

Our readers respond...

Be the first to provide a response.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.