(Posted October 26, 2005)

Messiah 2, Juniata 0

Grantham, Pa. ? The Juniata College men?s soccer team played one of its strongest outings of the season against top-ranked Messiah College, but could not overcome a pair of first half goals as they fell to the Falcons by a 2-0 score in Commonwealth action Wednesday night. The loss dropped Juniata to 5-12-1 overall and 0-4-1 in Commonwealth action.

The home team scored two goals in the first half, but Juniata?s defense kept the top-ranked team in Division III off the scoreboard the rest of the way.

Juniata goalkeepers Mark Guthridge (DuBois/DuBois)and Tim Penrod (Moravia/Moravian, N.Y.) split time in net in the match and each performed well. Penrod played the first 45 minutes, allowing the scores but also saving six shuts. Guthridge played the second half and did not surrender a goal while stopping eight shots.

The Falcons got on the scoreboard in the 19th minute as Dan Wagner scored off an assist from Nick Kipe. The home team added to its lead just three minutes before the halftime whistle on a goal from Chris Claassen. Tim Stello assisted on the second score.

Juniata had chances to cut into the lead, as the Eagles forced a pair of saves in the second half from Messiah keeper Dustin Shambach. Fred McNeal (Troy/Towanda) and Bryan Hess (South Western/Hanover) each had shots for Juniata.

The two-goal set-back was the tightest match the Eagles have played against Messiah since Juniata fell by a 3-1 score against the Falcons in 1988. The closely-contested outing displayed a great improvement from a lopsided defeat the Eagles had a season ago against Messiah.

Juniata will wrap up its season on Saturday with a road match at conference opponent Widener.

###

Our readers respond...

Be the first to provide a response.

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