Eagles Outpaced by Blazers, Show Signs of Improvement

HUNTINGDON, Pa.- Men's lacrosse faced off against Hood College on Saturday, ultimately losing 18-8, but matching their game-high goal tally and showing steady growth in the team's inaugural NCAA season.

The game began in rapid-fire fashion, with Hood winning the opening faceoff and immediately sprinting downfield to fire in a goal, putting the first score on the board in under ten seconds. Juniata would respond less than a minute later, with Aiden Duran (Walden, N.Y. / Valley Central) putting one past the goalie off a Matt McCleary (Waxhaw, N.C. / Marvin Ridge) assist.

JUNIATA Goal by Aiden Duran! #WingsUp #TakingFlight #GoEagles pic.twitter.com/2rF4MrCCvn

— Juniata Athletics (@JuniataEagles) March 5, 2022

Scoring for both teams then went dry for nearly seven minutes as the teams traded possessions before Duran scored again to give Juniata the lead. This would prove to be short-lived, as Hood jolted to life and went on to score 11 unanswered goals through the remainder of the first and majority of the second period. The Eagles would finally answer back with 1:07 remaining in the first half, as Jack M Loucks (Toronto, Canada / Minden) scored to make the score 12-3 in Hood's favor going into halftime.

Goal by Jack Loucks cuts Hood's lead to 9! 12-3 Hood at the Half! #WingsUp #TakingFlight #GoEagles pic.twitter.com/BVH9DvUOJN

— Juniata Athletics (@JuniataEagles) March 5, 2022

The scoring was much more evenly matched in the second half of play, with Hood scoring six goals in the final two quarters against Juniata's five goals. Duran continued a standout performance, notching two more goals and adding an assist, while also adding three caused turnovers and two groundball pickups to his final stat-line. Loucks was another key offensive contributor, finishing with two goals and two assists.

Duran with the behind the back GOAL! #WingsUp #TakingFlight #GoEagles pic.twitter.com/L6y8bAhVzc

— Juniata Athletics (@JuniataEagles) March 5, 2022

The Eagles were anchored by some stellar play in goal from sophomore Justin Toney (Westminster, Md. / Winters Mill), who entered the game early in the second period and went on to rack up a season-high 19 saves.

Juniata will now have more than a week to prepare for their next game as they will travel to Randolph College on Wednesday, March 16 at 3:30 PM.