(Posted October 29, 2005)

Widener 3, Juniata 1

Chester, Pa. ? The Juniata College women?s soccer team looked poised to claim its first conference victory of the season with a game-tying goal mid-way through the first half, but two second-half goals for the home team were too much for the Eagles to overcome as Juniata dropped a 3-1 to Widener University in Chester Saturday afternoon. The match was the season finale for the Eagles as they finish the year with a record of 6-12-1 and a 0-7 mark in conference play. Widener improved to 10-6-2 on the season and 2-4-1 in the Commonwealth.

Widener opened the scoring early in the match as Stacy Vaitis found the back of the net off an assist from Samantha Hand in the fifth minute to give the home side an early 1-0.

But Juniata answered back quickly, scoring a goal of its own in the 16th minute to tie the match at one. Two Eagles playing in their final match combined on the score as Lindsay Garvey (Wellsboro Central/Essex, N.Y.) took a pass from Nikki McLellan (Parkland/Lake Forest, Ca.) and beat Widener keeper Kelli Quinn for the goal. The goal was the ninth of the season for Garvey which marked a career high.

Widener looked to counter Juniata?s score but was unable to solve Juniata?s defense and freshman keeper Kerri Lawrence (Paramus Catholic/Waldwick, N.J.) for the remainder of the half. Lawrence finished the match with seven saves, five of them coming in the first period.

Juniata?s defense remained tight in the final 45 minutes, but the Pioneers took advantage of their chances, scoring twice to put the match away. Laura Davidson scored off a Janine Rogers assist just three minutes into the second half to make the score 2-1 Widener. And then Davidson struck again in the 68th minute to five the home team a two-goal edge. Hand earned her second assist of the match on the final goal.

Juniata had chances to cut into the deficit, but Kelli Quinn made a pair of saves in the second half to maintain the lead for Widener.

The match marked the final contest in the careers of three Juniata seniors. McLellan and Garvey were joined by Lauren Welsh (Westminster/Finksburg, Md.) in playing their final contest for the Blue and Gold. McLellan leaves the program as the all-time Juniata leader in career goals, assists and points, while Welsh started every single match of her four-year career. Garvey established a new career-high with nine goals in her finals season.

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