Kauffman Nets Brace as Eagles Shutout Bearcats

HUNTINGDON, Pa.- The Juniata women's soccer team defeated St. Vincent, 2-0, on a humid Tuesday evening at Gibbel Stadium. 

Anna Kauffman (Palmyra, Pa./Palmyra Area) netted a brace while Elizabeth Bentz (Wolf, Pa./Northeastern) and Paige Bulgarelli (York, Pa./York Suburban) each had one assist.

A minute and half into the game, Jessica Zavadak (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest) ripped a shot from 18 yards out, but the keeper stopped it.

Minutes later, Kauffman played Aubrie Christensen (Suwanee, Ga./Manheim Township) in on goal, but a Bearcat defender dispossessed her before she could get a shot off. In the 15^th minute, Kauffman got to a loose ball inside box and played it over to Zavadak. She took a touch and ripped a low drive wide left of goal.

Brooke Rotheram (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin) got the ball on the right wing and beat her defender, but was fouled. Following the free kick, Kristin Racis (Womelsdorf, Pa./Conrad Weiser) got onto a cross and fired but her shot was blocked. Bentz got to the loose ball on the right side and crossed it back in. Kauffman trapped the ball, turned a curled the ball into the top left corner to give Juniata 1-0 lead. 

In the 34^th minute, Christensen played a ball over the defense that Meadow Walshaw-Wertz (Sunbury, Pa./Line Mountain) ran onto. She came down the right side and fired towards the left corner, but the keeper managed to stop the shot. Juniata went into the half with a 1-0 lead.

Seven minutes into the second half, Rotheram came down the right wing, pulled the ball back at the end line and crossed it to Kauffman. She volleyed it first time towards goal but her shot went wide right.

In the 85^th minute, Bulgarelli found Kauffman alone at the top of the box. She turned and lofted a ball over the Bearcat keeper to make it 2-0.

Juniata held a 24-6 edge in shots while St. Vincent had a 4-3 edge in corners.

"It was a fine effort and terrific possession helped us control the tempo of the match," said head coach Scott McKenzie. "Two quality goals from Anna Kaufman were the result of many good reps in training. We had many quality chances in front of goal and still need to work on being more clinical with our finishing. All in all, we are pleased with the effort and the result."

The Eagles will host Catholic, Saturday at 1:00.