Women’s soccer unable to overcome Scranton in 3-1 loss

HUNTINGDON, Pa. – Juniata College women's soccer honored its graduating seniors prior to playing Landmark Conference opponent University of Scranton to a 3-1 loss, Friday evening at Detwiler Memorial Field.

Juniata was able to close the 3-0 score gap in the 59^th minute when freshman Cara Spiess (Spring City, Pa./The Hill School) found sophomore Molly Sellars (Caldwell, N.J./Caldwell) on a corner who headed it in for her first goal of the season.

The Royals found a way to get past Juniata's defense in the 38^th minute when Scranton (11-3-3, 6-0-0 Landmark) sophomore Rebecca Hextall punched it by junior keeper Gabriella Ricciardi (Massapequa, N.Y./Massapequa).

In the 43^rd minute Hextall struck again for the Royals when she capitalized on a breakaway in front of the Juniata goal. 

Less than five minutes later, junior Sydney Parker played the ball to teammate Samantha Russo for the third Scranton mark of the night.

Scranton held a 15-8 advantage in shots, however, the Eagles' fires were nothing short of well driven shots that just didn't find their way to the back of the net. In the 62^nd minute senior Aimee Radic (Belle Vernon, Pa./Belle Vernon Area) crossed the ball into the middle hitting the far post and just narrowly missing the side of the net. Sophomore Rose Lucidi (Bayville, N.Y./Locust Valley) took a direct shot on goal from the edge of the goalie box that hit squarely on the crossbar.

Ricciardi played all 90 minutes for Juniata and posted six saves and allowed all three Royal goals.

Tonight's match marked the end of the Eagles' 2011 season. Juniata finished 5-9-3 overall and 1-4-1 in the Landmark Conference.

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