(Posted September 4, 2004)

Juniata 2, Mulenberg 1 (Penalty Stokes)

Huntingdon, Pa. ? In a thrilling come-from behind victory the Juniata College field hockey team scored a late equalizer, then topped visiting Muhlenberg on penalty strokes to earn a 2-1 victory in Huntingdon Saturday afternoon. Juniata improved to 3-0 with the victory, while the Mules fell to 0-1.

Freshman Michelle Campbell (Northern Lebanon/Annville) scored her first collegiate goal with just three minutes remaining in regulation to tie the match at one and send the two teams into overtime. Billie Rickenbaugh (East Juniata/McAlisterville) assisted on the score.

Juniata would continue to be the aggressor in overtime as they peppered Muhlenberg keeper Lauren Schram but could not break through. Schram was solid in the cage all game long for the Mules as she finished the match with 20 saves, eight of them coming in overtime.

With neither team able to score, the match went to penalty strokes. Schram and Juniata keeper Melonie Sappe? (Dallas/Shavertown) each saved the first three shots. Then in the fourth round, Sappe? made the stop again, before Juniata?s Sierra Dickman (Foxcroft School/Marshall, Va.) beat the keeper to put Juniata on top. Sappe? then made the final save in the fifth round to seal the victory.

Juniata?s comeback was necessary after the visitors controlled much of the first half. Muhlenberg out-shot Juniata 6-3 in the first 35 minutes, and Sara Levin put Muhlenberg in front when she beat Sappe? with 4:48 showing on the clock in the first half. It was the first goal Sappe? had allowed in the 2004 season.

Juniata came out with new life in the second half, as they tilted the field towards the Muhlenberg end. The Eagles had one goal disallowed in the second half, before Campbell broke through late.

Sappe? finished with 11 saves on the match not including her five stops in the penalty stroke session.

Juniata will return to action on Saturday when they begin conference play against Commonwealth foe Albright in Huntingdon.

###

Our readers respond...

Be the first to provide a response.

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