Men’s Soccer Scores Season High Four Goals, Defeat Crusaders for First Time in 22 Years

Dan Sherman

Asst. SID

Juniata

814-641-3513

Huntingdon, Pa., Juniata College men's soccer hosted the Susquehanna Crusaders in a rematch of last year's Landmark Conference championship match earlier today. The Eagles offense scored a season high four goals and the defense continued to play well, resulting in a 4-2 conference victory for Juniata. The win marks the first time Juniata has beaten Susquehanna since 1992.

The Eagles 2-1 lead into the half on goals by senior Nick Stone-Weiss (North Olmsted, OH / North Olmsted) and sophomore Dani Meyer-Arrivillaga (Durham, NC / Carolina Friends).  Meyer-Arrivillaga had the game's first score in the eighth minute, finding the net from the left side on a ball from teammate Dylan Thompson (Broomfield, CO / Peak to Peak Charter). Thirteen minutes later, Aaron Kulig (Green Lane, PA / Boyertown) found Stone-Weiss, whose fifth goal of the season gave the Eagles an early 2-0 lead. Susquehanna cut the lead by one just before the break on a scrum in front of the net. Keeper James Johnson (Cumberland, MD / Fort Hill) stopped several attempts, but the Crusaders were able to force one passed him to make it a 2-1 game. The junior started his sixth game of the season and had five saves on the day.

The Crusaders quickly tied it up at two just over a minute into the second half. Juniata was able to swing the momentum back to their side, as Meyer-Arrivillaga scored his team leading sixth goal of the game to put Juniata on top for good. Aaron Kulig added an insurance goal with ten minutes left in regulation to seal the Eagles second conference victory.

Head coach Dan Dubois spoke about his team's effort after the match, "Our guys stuck to the game plan today, they did exactly what we asked them to do. Every time they've done exactly what we've asked them to do, they've had success. We moved the ball relatively well, got ourselves in dangerous positions [for the opposing defense]. For one of the first times all year we were able to put some balls in the back of the net, we haven't been able to really do that. The guys are seeing a little more success. We had some success a few weeks ago with it, getting a few goals in a few games [against Penn State-Berks and Moravian] and getting four goals today."

Speaking about the matchup he added, "I know our team and Susquehanna are both not what they were last year when we met in the championship match, but they're both very competitive teams that are going at it. For us to create opportunities the way we did, it sets up well for us, letting these seniors go out on a high note for their careers and sets up the rest of the team for coming back for a great year in 2015." Lookig ahead, Dubois noted his team still has to compete, "Not to say that we're bagging this season at all. We're still very much excited about the opportunities to go out and win three more matches this year. We have to take it one day at a time and focus on doing the rights in training and off the field to keep their minds right. Hopefully, this weekend, we can carry this momentum into Goucher on Saturday for Senior Day."

The Eagles are now 5-11 on the season and 2-4 against conference rivals. The Eagles will play their penultimate home match on Saturday, hosting Goucher at Winton Hill Field. Juniata will honor five seniors who have made significant contributions to the program throughout their careers for the Blue and Gold.