JUNIATA WOMEN’S SOCCER DROPS 3-2 DECISION TO GROVE CITY COLLEGE IN ECAC SOUTH TOURNAMENT

GROVE CITY, Pa. – A late Juniata College rally fell short of the mark as the Eagle women's soccer team dropped a 3-2 decision to Grove City College, in ECAC Division III South Women's Soccer Championship quarterfinal action Wednesday afternoon in Grove City, Pa.

Trailing 3-1 late in the second half, Juniata cut the deficit to one goal with Caitlin Bigelow's (La Mesa, Calif./Academy of Our Lady of Peace) score off a free kick in the 86th minute. Laura Goodlander (Etters, Pa./Red Land) was credited with the assist.

The Eagles had jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 24th minute, when Laurent Brant (Gilbertsville, Pa./Boyertown) deflected a ball past Grove City keeper Diana Pragel from right in front of the Wolverine goal.

Grove City would respond with three straight goals to take a commanding lead in the contest.

Bethany Peck's unassisted goal in the 28th minute tied the game at 1-1, and Stephanie Wild scored in the 40th minute to give the Wolverines a 2-1 lead at the intermission.

Grove City scored an insurance goal in the 83rd minute, before yielding Bigelow's goal just three minutes later.

Juniata senior Lisa Russo (Haskell, N.J./Lakeland) started in the Eagle goal, making five saves and allowing all three goals while playing roughly 64 minutes. Lauren Auster-Gussman (North Huntingdon, Pa./Norwin) played the remaining 26 minutes, and was credited with three saves.

Wolverine keeper Pragel finished with six saves while playing all 90 minutes.

Grove City outshot Juniata 14-13, with each team awarded two corner kicks. The Wolverines were also whistled twice for offsides.

Juniata concludes its 2007 season with a 9-6-3 overall record. 

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