Juniata Drops 3-2 OT Decision in ECAC Quarterfinals

HUNTINGDON, Pa.- Juniata and William Paterson played to overtime in the quarterfinals of the ECAC Mid-Atlantic Tournament. The Pioneers were granted a penalty stroke and converted to give the visitors a 3-2 victory on Wednesday night at Knox Stadium.

William Paterson took the lead less than 10 minutes into the first half. Mauren Gill scored for the Pioneers on an awkward shot that got past Juniata goalkeeper Kylie Edwards (Danville, Pa./Danville).

The Eagles evened the score less than nine minutes later. On a pass from Sarah Bilheimer (Bethlehem, Pa/Freedom), Brittani LaFollette (Baltimore, Md./Sparrows Point) was able the get the ball through Pioneer goalie Meg Davies to knot the contest at 1-1.

The Pioneers regained the lead at 20:25 to go ahead 2-1. The score remained that way at halftime. The Eagles outshot the Pioneers 7-3 in the period.

The Juniata defense held firm in the second half as it held William Paterson to just one shot. The Eagles continued to attack the Pioneers zone as it racked up eight shots.

JC was finally able to get the goal it needed. At 48:47, Brittany Meier's (Pennslyvania, Furnace, Pa./State College Area) shot got through the WP defense and into the cage to tie the game at 2-2.

JC had chances to go ahead with less than 10 minutes to play but shots by Bilheimer and LaFollette were turned away by Davies. Bilheimer had another good look but went just wide of the goal. For the third straight game, Juniata went to an extra period.

The Pioneers outshot the Eagles 4-2 in the extra frame. Meier came up with a big defensive save to deny WP but the Pioneers were  then granted a penalty stroke where Felicia Wetzel scored to give the Pioneers the win.

Edwards finished with two saves in 83:49 of game time. Davies came up with eight saves.

The Eagles had a 17-8 advantage in total shots. Juniata also led in penalty corners, 11-5.

Juniata finishes the season with a final record of 11-7. William Paterson improves to 11-8 and advances to the semifinals to play Stevenson.