Offensive miscues lead to men’s soccer season-opening loss

HUNTINGDON, Pa. – The Juniata College men's soccer team couldn't overcome Pitt.-Greensburg in the squads' season-opener and fell 3-0 to the Bobcats at Winton Hill Field on Friday afternoon.

The Eagles rung-up over twice as many shots as Pitt.-Greensburg (1-0), with junior Dane Azeles (Duncansville, Pa./Hollidaysburg) spraying eight around the Bobcat net including three on point. Greg Hess (Hanover, Pa./South Western) also tried to poke it by Bobcat keeper, Brandon Galley, on four occasions and forced Galley to make a save twice.  

Juniata (0-1) worked for seven corner kick opportunities, including an Azeles corner that resulted in a shot by Hess that hit the crossbar and was gobbled up by Galley in the 46^th minute.

Juniata goalkeeper Ezra Cassel (Denver, Pa./Cocalico) denied a total seven shots and recorded four saves, but his three allowed goals is out of the norm for Cassel, who didn't allow a single goal until the overtime period of the third game in the 2011 season. 

The Bobcat's first goal came in the 16^th minute off a penalty shot taken by Sam Kuhn. Pitt.-Greensburg was unable to strike again until the 43^rd minute when Brady Patterson controlled the ball that was punched out of the goal's mouth by Cassel and finessed it into the lower right corner. The final goal of the night was scored by Alex Leonard assisted by Craig Hixon in the 57^th minute.

The Eagles return to the pitch on Saturday, September 1 against Thiel College at Winton Hill Field as part of their five home game series to open the 2012 season.

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