Eagles Give Scarlet Raiders the Blues, Claim First ECAC Championship in Program History
HUNTINGDON, Pa.- The Juniata men's soccer team closed the best season in program history with a trophy, beating Rutgers-Newark 3-1 in the Eastern College Athletic Conference Championship Saturday afternoon on a chilly and windy day at Gibbel Stadium.
ECAC Tournament MVP Shawn Tanaka had a goal and an assist, while fellow ECAC All-Tournament team member Jase Colino added a goal of his own. Brandon Marzula added his name to the scoresheet, while Max Mattioni made one save and was named to the ECAC All-Tournament team. Beckett Young and Sean Weiland were also named to the All-Tournament team.
The Eagles struck early. Tanaka played a ball in from the left wing that Colino tapped in to make it 1-0.
Twenty minutes later, Gavin Rauhut drew a foul about 35 yards out from goal in the central left part of the field. Marzula lined up to take the free kick, and the keeper was directing his defense and not watching the ball. Marzula quickly drove a line drive towards goal that bounced once before going into the left corner to double the Eagle advantage.
The Scarlet Raiders answered two minutes later, as a lofted cross from the right end line caught the wind perfectly and floated into the top right corner to make it 2-1, which was the halftime scoreline.
The Eagles held a 7-4 advantage in shots as the half, while the Scarlet Raiders had a narrow 3-2 lead in corner kicks.
The visitors had chances in the second half, but the Eagles managed to keep the ball out of the back of their net.
In the 78th minute, Zachary Anagnos lofted the ball over the top of the defense to Tanaka. The first-year controlled it with his head to the 18. He stutter-stepped to create a bit of space before ripping a shot across goal past the keeper into the lower left corner to ice the game.
The men's soccer team wraps the year 13-3-6, tying for the most wins ever in program history and posting the best winning percentage (.889). They end the season in scintillating form, going 9-1-2 in October and November.