Men’s Soccer Looks For First Win Against Drew, At Home Saturday

By: Laura Chapman
Assistant Sports Information Director
chapmal@juniata.edu • juniatasports.net

HUNTINGDON, Pa.  – With a record of 12-4-2 on the year, the Juniata College men's soccer team will host Drew University on Winton Hill Field this Saturday, Nov. 2. The Eagles are 0-6 against the Rangers since the formation of the Landmark Conference and will look to snap that streak on Senior Day.

"The guys know that if we win this game we have a good shot at being the third seed in the playoffs and that's where they want to be," said head coach Dan Dubois. "That's the highest possible finish we can get. The guys are concentrating this week in training on making sure they are ready to have a good result this weekend."

Juniata is coming off a 2-1 victory over conference opponent U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) and is a program best 3-2-1 in league play. With every win, the Eagles are setting a new record for wins in a single season. The Juniata defense has only allowed 14 goals against this year and is nationally ranked in the top 50 in both team-goals-against average and save percentage.

The Rangers are 10-4-4 this season and 1-2-3 in conference play. Drew has scored 38 goals on the year and allowed 15 against. In total, 14 different players have scored for the Rangers this season in their 17 matches. This season will mark the first time the Rangers have failed to qualify for the Landmark tournament.

"It seems as though Drew has had some up and down results," said Dubois. "They've had some good results against some good teams and some bad results against some not so great team. It'll be interesting. They're not going to be in the conference postseason this year so I don't know what their state of mind is going to be."

Of the six matches between the two teams, half have been decided by one goal, and two required extra time. Last year in Madison, N.J., the two teams battled for 80 scoreless minutes before Drew notched the game winner. The victory sealed a playoff spot for the Rangers with only one conference match left remiaing.

"My guess is that they are going to be the same strong offensive team that they always have been," said Dubois. "That they're going to throw everything they have at us because, why not? They're in the same position that we've been in every other year; kind of out of it and looking to play spoiler. It's a new role for them and this is a new roll for us. I think it's going to be a fun game."

Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. after the conclusion of the women's match against Drew that will start at 1 p.m.

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