Wolverines Claw Past Eagles in Overtime
HUNTINGDON, Pa.- The Juniata men's soccer team fell in overtime, 2-1, to visiting Grove City on a rainy Tuesday evening at Gibbel Stadium.
Malvin Madzimbamuto (Oftringen, Switzerland / St Thomas More) had the first shot of the game for JC, firing from the right side just outside the box, but the Grove City keeper was up to the test.
In the 19th minute, Drew Murta (Exton, PA / Downingtown East High School) found the back of the net with an absolute rocket of a shot that he sent flying into the top right corner to make it 1-0.
Drew Murta with a missile into the top corner for his first career goal and made it 1-0 against Grove City #WingsUp #JCMS #D3SOC #GoEagles #TakingFlight pic.twitter.com/CnlHiuhhtQ
— Juniata Athletics (@JuniataEagles) September 21, 2021
In the 38th minute, Emmet Young (Swarthmore, PA / Strath Haven) had an excellent chance with a header deep in the box, but it was right at the Wolverines keeper.
Midway through the second half, Grove City had a free kick 20 yards out on the right side of the box. The Wolverine player smashed a ball right past the left post of the Eagle goal.
In the 69th minute, the Wolverines found an equalizer through off a dead ball. They sent a ball in into the Eagle box off a free-kick from around the midway line, and their forward ran under the ball before lining a header past the outstretched hands of Axel Grater (Elizabethtown, Pa. / Lower Dauphin HS) to tie things at 1-1.
In the 89th minute, Cohen Wilkins (Allison Park, Pa. / Shaler) got the ball in the box, switched onto his left foot, and fired a shot, but it went wide.
Inside the final two minutes of overtime, the Wolverines found a winner. One of their wide players cut inside the box and crossed the ball from the end line; it found the foot of Sam Belitz, who smashed it into the roof of the Eagle net to end the game. It was his second goal of the match.
Juniata will begin conference play this Saturday on the road as they travel to Drew. Kickoff is at 4:00.
