Royals Put Three Unanswered Past Eagles

SCRANTON, Pa.- The Juniata field hockey team suffered a 3-0 away defeat to Scranton on Saturday afternoon.  

Scranton generated most of the chances in the game, outshooting Juniata 15-2 with a goal in the first period and two in the fourth period to cement the win. Brittney McMullen saved five shots in the contest. 

The Royals got on the board in the final minute of the first via a penalty corner, their third of the period. The ball was played in from the left side to the player closest to the corner spot, and the shot was fired towards the goal and tipped by a player directly in front of McMullen and into the right corner. 

Jane Corbin did fire Juniata's first shot of the game off in the first period, missing to the right from a few yards away.  

Scranton looked to add to the lead in the second period with five shots, including two that forced saves from McMullen and one that was blocked by the defense. They totaled four more shots in the third period, but the scoreline stayed at 1-0 until the fourth period. 

Within the first three minutes of the fourth, Scranton all but secured the win with a pair of goals. The first came off a penalty corner as well. Off the corner, the ball was passed across the circle from the left, crossed across the goal, and shot at the goal from a narrow-angle on the left at the near post. The third goal came a minute later on the break, with Scranton putting a through ball to a Royal who beat her marker and was able to slot it past the keeper. 

Juniata registered one more shot before the end of the hour as Sydney Witter broke past defenders and forced the Scranton keeper to step forward for a diving save from close range. 

The Juniata field hockey team is on the road again for their next game against Susquehanna on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.