(Posted September 25, 2004)

Juniata 3, Widener 0

Huntingdon, Pa. ? The Juniata College field hockey team rebounded from its first loss of the season with a convincing 3-0 victory over Widener University in Huntingdon on Saturday. Juniata is now 6-1 on the season and 2-1 in the Commonwealth Conference. Widener falls to 2-3 overall and 1-2 in conference play.

Senior forward Grace McCluskey (West Perry/Elliotsburg) provided Juniata with plenty of offense as she scored a pair of goals to lead the Eagle offense.

Juniata got going with the offense with 15 minutes left in the first half. McCluskey converted one of Juniata?s six penalty corners, taking a pass from Sarah Bender (Eastern York/York) and knocking home to put Juniata in front 1-0.

Widener pressured for the equalizer in. with five shots in the first half, but Eagle keeper Melonie Sappe? (Dallas/Shavertown) made three of her six saves in the first half to preserve the lead.

The Eagles then got some breathing room two minutes into the second stanza as McCluskey converted an unassisted goal for her fourth goal of the year and a 2-0 Juniata lead.

Kim Wagner (Middletown/Middletown) then added an insurance goal off another assist from Bender with 15 minutes remaining in the contest. Wagner beat Widener goalie Katie Heritage who finished the match with two saves.
Juniata was out-shot in the match with Widener taking 13 shots to Juniata?s nine. Widener also forced 18 penalty corners to Juniata?s six, but Sappe? notched six saves to earn her second shutout of the season.

Juniata will return to action next Saturday when they travel to play conference rival Lebanon Valley.

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