Franke's Late Goal Pushes Juniata Past Bridgewater

HUNTINGDON, Pa.- The Juniata field hockey team protected their nest at Knox Stadium tonight as they defeated the Bridgewater Eagles, 2-1, Friday evening at Knox Stadium. 

Juniata was aggressive from the start with a lot of offensive action in just the first quarter. Bridgewater fouled which resulted in a corner for Juniata. Sydney Witter (Newville, Pa./ Big Spring High School) sat at the top of the key, patiently waiting for the ball. She controlled the ball and shot it in toward her teammates. Brooke Franke (Shermans Dale, Pa./ West Perry High School) took a hard hit at the ball with Kalee Rothermel (Winfield, Pa./ Selinsgrove) in the right place, which followed it to send in the back of the cage. 

Bridgewater bounced back in the second quarter to tie it up before halftime. The third quarter was uneventful for either team as the teams remained deadlocked, heading into the final frame.

The Rothermel and Brooke chemistry continued early in the fourth quarter when Juniata was able to jump ahead of Bridgewater for good. Rothermel was driving up the sideline and crossed it into her teammate Franke who had a swift touch to put the ball into the cage to secure Juniata's first win of the season. 

The Eagles will return home tomorrow to take on Haverford at 4:00 pm.