Blue Jays Last Minute Goal Steals Win From Eagles
HUNTINGDON, Pa. – The Juniata men's soccer team suffered a gut-wrenching 2-1 loss to visiting Elizabethtown College Tuesday evening at Gibbel Stadium.
In the 17th minute, Emmet Young cleared the ball from near the Eagle 18 into the Blue Jay half of the field. The Etown defender tried to head the ball back to his goalie, but Ian Edwards was closing hard. The ball bounced just in front of the 18; Edwards beat the onrushing keeper to the ball and flicked it towards the net. An Etown centerback tried to clear the ball off the line as Edwards rushed in, but they missed the ball, and it rolled in to give Juniata a 1-0 lead.
In the 34th minute, an errant Eagle tackle inside their own box was signaled to be a foul, and the visitors were awarded a penalty kick. Their player smashed it into the left corner to tie the game at one.
Elizabethtown outshot Juniata, 9-1, in the first half, with Axel Grater being called upon to make three saves in net.
Brandon Marzula had an opportunity for the Eagles early in the second half, but he skied the shot over the goal.
In the 81st minute, an Etown defender received a red card, so they were down to 10 men for the final stretch of the game.
In the final minute, the Blue Jays found a winner. A long ball from midfield bounced in the box before being touched towards the frame. Grater blocked the first shot, but it rolled right to another Blue Jay, and they slotted it into the left corner for the win.
Nathan Weick fired a hopeful shot towards the goal in the dying seconds, but it was saved.
Juniata will host Wilkes on Saturday at 1:00.