Women’s Soccer Slips to #14 Capital, 2-1
August 30, 2014

Women’s Soccer Slips to #14 Capital, 2-1

HUNTINGDON, PA- The Juniata women’s soccer team hosted one of the top squads in the country in #14 Capital on Saturday afternoon at Winton Hill Field. Despite yielding an early goal in the first half, the Eagles hung tough with the Crusaders but fell just short in a 2-1 defeat.

HUNTINGDON, PA- The Juniata women’s soccer team hosted one of the top squads in the country in #14 Capital on Saturday afternoon at Winton Hill Field.  Despite yielding an early goal in the first half, the Eagles hung tough with the Crusaders but fell just short in a 2-1 defeat.

The teams were even in shots at 10 each. Juniata led in corner kicks, 3-0.
 
“I was very pleased with our effort today,” said head coach Scott McKenzie following the game. “ I was very pleased with our level of fight and I was pleased with how we didn’t give up. Coming out of the game tied 10-10 in shots , up 3-0 in corners, and losing 2-1, there is nothing to hold your head down about it.”

 

Capital got on the board in the 7th minute of the contest. Amanda Kachaylo got around a Juniata defender and had an open shot to give the Crusaders the early lead.

 
The Eagles outshot the Crusaders 5-2 in the first frame but goalie Kim Leitch came up with three saves to preserve the Capital lead. The vistors went into halftime ahead 1-0.
 
In the second half, Capital nearly took a 2-0 advantage but Shelby Johnson’s shot attempt hit the crossbar and back into the field of play in the 52nd minute. In the 54th minute, the Eagles would knot the game at 1-all as Leitch was drawn out of the box and Devin Kos (Bellefonte, PA/Bellefonte Area) lofted a high kick from nearly 40 yards out that found the back of the net to tie the contest up.
 
The score remained 1-1 for nearly 20 minutes of play until the 73rd minute when Kachaylo assisted Becca Cartmill. Cartmill’s shot got past a diving Kerry Leonard (Cockeysville, MD/Maryvale Prep) and into the left corner of the goal.
 
The Eagles would continue to fight until the end. Juniata had possession in the Capital end of the field in the final minute but could not get the goal it needed as the Crusaders walked off with the victory.
 
Starting her first collegiate game in net, Leonard finished with two saves. Leitch had three stops.
 

Despite the result, McKenzie was pleased about his team’s performance. “What we saw today was a good team go out and play, and I couldn’t be any happier for them,” he said.

 
The Eagles get right back to business tomorrow afternoon when they travel to Greenville to face Thiel. Game time is set for 2 p.m.