Eagles Offense Comes Alive in 5-1 Win Over Wilkes
The dominating play of Juniata College’s offense helped lead the field hockey team to its first home win of the season in the 5-1 route of Wilkes College Wednesday afternoon on Goodman Field at Knox Stadium.
HUNTINGDON, Pa. – The dominating play of Juniata College’s offense helped lead the field hockey team to its first home win of the season in the 5-1 rout of Wilkes College Wednesday afternoon on Goodman Field at Knox Stadium.
A blend of upper and lower classmen led the charge against the Colonels with senior Caroline Phillips (Wilmington, Del./Concord HS) picking up two goals in the win.
“Our attack was definitely one of the things we were working on all week,” said Juniata Head Coach Caroline Gillich. “It was a whole team effort.”
Phillips (Wilmington, Del./Concord HS) put the Eagles up 1-0 in the 19th minute. She took a corner pass from freshman Sara Bilheimer (Bethlehem, Pa./Freedom HS) into the circle and sent the ball past Wilkes goalkeeper Alexis Reed to become the first Eagle to score a goal on Goodman Field.
Juniata (4-3) led 1-0 at the break after outshooting the Colonels 15-1.
Wilkes scored the equalizing goal 12 minutes into the second half. Ashley Ream redirected a shot from Kaitlyn Bevans to tie the game at 1-1. The score stayed locked until Bilheimer sent a pass from sophomore Kortney Showers (Aspers, Pa./Biglerville HS) into the back of the cage.
Freshman Steph Pagliaro (Duncannon, Pa./Susquenita HS) picked up the first goal of her career 20 seconds later on open shot from 10 yards out to give the Eagles a 3-1 lead.
“[Steph] came into preseason with a tough injury so this was her first start,” said Gillich. “I know that she was pretty amped for that. On 1v1 she is feisty beyond feisty. She is relentless to score.”
Juniata earned a penalty stroke at 58:09 and Phillips took the honor. She sent the ball up into the left corner of the cage for the 11th goal of her career to give the Eagles the 4-1 lead.
With 25 seconds remaining, junior Morgan Slovin (Hockessin, Del./Charter School) battled for the ball at the cage and sent it in for her first goal of the season, third of her career.
Wilkes dropped to 3-3 with the loss. Juniata earned eight corners to Wilkes’ five, outshooting the Colonels 30-3 in the contest.
The Eagles face No. 1 The College of New Jersey this Saturday, Sept. 22 at Lower Dauphin High School.
“We’re pretty excited that we’re playing the National Champions,” said Gillich. “We couldn’t have broken through at a better time.”
Game time is set for 5 p.m. This is Juniata’s second game against a top five opponent this season. The Eagles fell to No. 4 Messiah 2-0 back on Sept. 12.