(Posted November 10, 2010)

WOOSTER, Ohio -- The Juniata College field hockey team's three goal scoring flurry in eight minutes shutout The College of Wooster, 3-0, Wednesday afternoon at John P. Papp Stadium in the first round of the NCAA Division III Field Hockey Championship tournament.

"For us, finding a way to get a mental edge over a team is the most important factor. It is crucial to break that seal and then fight harder to get another goal and another," said Juniata field hockey head coach Caroline Gillich.

Paula Price (Camp Hill, Pa./East Pennsboro) created some offensive opportunities early, missing a shot just wide in the first few moments of the game. She forced the Scots to make two defensive saves within the first eight minutes of the contest. Shauna Deschenes (Duncannon, Pa./Susquenita) also hit the post with 23 minutes left in the first half, tallying four total shots in the game. The first half remained a frustrating goalless score.

"I didn't let them question if they would score, I told them it was a matter of when," added Gillich, when asked what she said to the Eagles at halftime.

Juniata broke that seal early in the second half when Emma Dahmus (Hummelstown, Pa./Lower Dauphin) beat Wooster goalkeeper Liz Plumley just six minutes in.

"It was really exciting to score that first goal, mainly because it got the momentum going for everyone else," said Dahmus, when asked what it felt like to score in such a big game in her first season.

The goal sparked a fire in the Eagles and just six minutes later Dahmus had another strong shot on goal, which deflected off of the post for Kim Amrod (Ridgefield, Conn./Ridgefield) to finish on the rebound.

Deschenes secured the 3-0 lead off of a penalty stroke just two minutes later. She finished her second penalty stroke of the post season; her last one against Catholic secured the Eagles into the first round of the tournament.

"It definitely helps take the pressure off when we are in the lead," said Deschenes. "But ultimately, in the moment, I tried to not let any additional pressure get to me."

"I know my teammates are confident in me which makes me more confident," added Deschenes.

The last time the Eagles faced the Fighting Scots was in 2006 when the Eagles prevailed 2-1. The last time Juniata entered the second round of the NCAA tournament was in 2007 versus Ursinus College when Juniata downed the Bears 2-0.

"I'm looking forward to competing with Ursinus on their own turf, after defeating them at Lebanon Valley three years ago," said Gillich.

Juniata recorded 16 shots and eight corners while Wooster recorded seven shots and 11 penalty corners.

Juniata goalkeeper Moira Nugent (Lancaster, Pa./Lampeter-Strasburg) finished with two saves in 68 minutes of work, while Janelle Howard finished out the last three minutes in goal and was not challenged. Plumley made four saves for Wooster.

Juniata will play in the second round game versus Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pa., on Saturday, Nov. 13, at 11:00 a.m.

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