(Posted September 23, 2006)

Juniata 9, Lincoln (Pa.) 0 HUNTINGDON, Pa ? An offensive explosion in the first half propelled the Juniata College women?s soccer team to a 9-0 victory over visiting Lincoln University (Pa.) on Winton Hill Field Saturday afternoon. The Eagles scored seven goals in the first half to improve their record to 7-2 on the season while the Lady Lions fell to 1-4 on the year. With their seventh win the Eagles have tied the program record for most wins in a season, matching the 2002 and 2003 team?s which both finished the year with seven victories. The seven wins already bests Juniata?s six-victory total from last season. The Eagles managed to control the pace and tempo of the game throughout and got on the scoreboard in the fourth minute of the game when Sarah Ruggiero (Bangor/Bangor) found Sarah Stebbings (Easton/Easton) to jump out to an early 1-0 lead in the fifth minute. Ruggiero improved on her team leading two assists as she earned assists on each of Juniata?s first three goals. Seven different players would earn goals for Juniata in the contest. Shannon Pierce (Boyertown/Gilbertsville) found the back of the net twice in the first half and Laura Goodlander (Red Land/Red Land), Maura Collins (Corning-Painted Post West/Painted Post NY), Alicia Walsh (Latrobe/ Latrobe), and Stephanie Mury (Verona/Verona NJ) each added a goal before the break to give the Eagles a 7-0 halftime lead. Goodlander and Alissa Murphy (Philipsburg-Osceola/Philipsburg) each also earned assists in the first 45 minutes. While Juniata?s offense was firing shots, the team?s defense provided the team with plenty of chances as Juniata held Lincoln without a shot in the match. Lisa Russo (Lakeland/Haskell, N.J.) earned her fifth shutout of the season in the victory. Juniata added 18 more shots in the second half to go with their 28 attempts in the first half. Rachel Lachat (South Williamsport/Williamsport) notched her first career goal in the 79th minute off a Murphy assist, and then a Lincoln own goal in the 82nd minute capped the scoring. Lincoln keeper Skyle Fore made 20 saves in net for the Lady Lions. Juniata will open up its conference schedule with its next match as the Eagles travel to play Susquehanna Wednesday night. ###

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