(Posted September 1, 2005)

Juniata 2, Wooster 1 (2OT)

Wooster, Ohio ? The Juniata College field hockey team made a habit of winning close games during its memorable 2004 season, and the 2005 season got off to a similar start as the Eagles claimed a 2-1 victory over Wooster College (Ohio) in double overtime Thursday afternoon. The win moves Juniata to 1-0 to begin the year.

Sarah Bender (Eastern York/York) took a pass from Elise Zimmerman (Cumberland Valley/Boiling Springs) off a penalty corner and beat the Wooster keeper with 13:30 remaining in the second overtime period to give Juniata the victory.

It was Bender who put Juniata on the scoreboard to start the game after neither team was able to register a goal in the first half. The teams were nearly even in shots in the first 35 minutes, with Juniata firing off five shots, and Wooster recording six. But Juniata?s defense did not let any of those shots reach the goal.

Then with 13 minutes remaining in the second half Bender struck as she fired a shot from the right side that beat Wooster keeper Anne Leigh and gave Juniata a 1-0 lead. The two goals matched Bender?s total from her entire sophomore season.

Wooster began pushing for an equalizer, forcing Juniata goalie Andrea Way (Fair Haven/Fair Haven, Vt.) to make saves to preserve the lead. The home team then did break through as Lindsay Tingley scored an unassisted goal off a rebound with just 4:10 remaining in the game to send the game into overtime.

Neither team could claim the game winner in the first overtime before Bender sealed the game with the goal in overtime.

Way was credited with one save for the Blue and Gold, while Tingley stopped 13 shots for the home team.

Juniata will look for victory number two on Saturday when the Eagles play at Gettysburg.

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