(Posted September 12, 2006)

Juniata 2, Neumann 1 ASTON, Pa. - The Juniata College field hockey team battled through its toughest contest of the young season and still found a way to win as the Eagles got an early second-half goal to claim a 2-1 victory over Neumann College in non-conference action Tuesday afternoon. The Eagles raised their record to 4-0 with the win, while Neumann is now 1-3. With the score tied at halftime Juniata came out with renewed offensive energy in the second half as the Eagles fired off six shots and earned four penalty corners in the first 10 minutes of the half. An Erin Smith (Palmyra/Palmyra) shot early in the half nearly put the Eagles in front, but a defensive save from Neumann?s Michelle Coderre kept the game knotted at one. Smith would have her revenge seven minutes later when her pass found Kim Wagner (Middletown/Middletown) who knocked in her team-leading ninth goal of the season to give Juniata a 2-1 lead. The Eagles would continue to pressure as Juniata finished with 16 shots in the half, while limiting Neumann to five. Neumann would have chances down the stretch but defensive saves from Corinne Hamblet (South Carroll/Westminster, Md.) along with Bobbi Rickenbaugh (East Juniata/McAlisterville) and two stops from keeper Abby Funk (Lewisburg/Lewisburg) preserved the win. The second half goal completed the Juniata rally as the Eagles were forced to come from behind for the first time this season. Coderre put Neumann on the board 31 minutes into the match when she scored off a Rachel Mease assist. It was the first goal Juniata had conceded this season, and it came after 240 minutes of action. The Eagles quickly responded as Sierra Dickman (Foxcroft School/Marshall, Va.) tied the score one minute later as her one-time rebound shot was tucked beautifully into the upper corner to tie the score at one. It was Dickmann?s first goal of the year and it came just three minutes before halftime. Juniata outshot Neumann 22-8 for the game, as the home team?s goalie Chelsea Ward finished with 13 saves. Funk capped her afternoon with four saves for Juniata. The Eagles return to action on Saturday as they host Widener University for their first Commonwealth Conference match of the season. ###

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