Showers, Howard Sweep Conference Player of the Week

HUNTINGDON, Pa. – Juniata field hockey swept the Landmark Conference weekly awards, the league announced Monday. Sophomore Kortney Showers (Aspers, Pa./Biglerville) and senior Janelle Howard (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) were named offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively.

Showers earned her first collegiate hat trick in the Eagles 7-0 win over Landmark rival Goucher (Sept. 29).

 “[Katelyn] moved from playing mid for us to forward and moving her up to the line has helped us generate a higher number of attack opportunities,” said Juniata Head Coach Caroline Gillich.  “She has proven that she is able to finish on cage, over and over.”

After the Eagles took a 1-0 lead 17:12 in the first half, Showers scored the next three goals in under 10 minutes to put Juniata up 4-0.  She finished the game with three goals on three shots and one assist.

Veteran goalkeeper Howard helped lead the Eagles to a 2-0 week and back-to-back shutouts.

“Janelle is certainly the anchor of our defense and has been a big part of our four shut outs this season,” said Gillich.  “With her strong clears, it’s rare that a team gets a second and third shot-on-goal.  It’s usually one and done.”

Spending over 96 minutes in goal, Howard and the Eagles defense allowed just three shots-on-goal in two games.  She finished the week with a perfect 1.000 save percentage.  It has been over 117 minutes since Howard allowed a goal.

The Eagles will look to both Showers and Howard to help continue their success on a four-game road stint as they head deeper into conference play starting at Susquehanna on Wednesday, Oct. 3. 

Juniata has been competing against the Crusaders since 1973.  The all-time series between the teams is locked up at 16 with six ties.  The winner on Wednesday claims the lead in the series.  The Eagles defeated Susquehanna 4-0 last year and have outscored the Crusaders 12-4 in the past five years.