Women's Soccer Shows Strong Defense Despite Loss

HUNTINGDON, PA – The Juniata women's soccer team opened up their 2015 season at home against the St. John Fisher Cardinals Tuesday afternoon. The Eagles played with a lot of fight and had several chances to score but the Cardinals would go on to record the only goal of the game at the 78th minute mark. 

Head coach Scott McKenzie was impressed with his defense's first outing. Aside from returning starter Devin Kos (Bellefonte, PA / Bellefonte Area), the defense was primarily comprised of newer faces. Freshman Amanda Kopacz (Green Brook, NJ / Mount Saint Mary Academy) played center back for her collegiate debut and stopped the Cardinals from capitalizing on a breakaway in the second half.  

"Our defending players played exceptionally well," McKenzie said. "There was one moment of chaos and when you play good teams you get punished for chaos."

Juniata had an 8-4 advantage on shots on goal over St. John Fisher. 

After Jamie Alloco scored in the 78^th minute, the Eagles maintained their cool and pushed to try and get an equalizer. That sort of patience and effort at the end of a game is something that they focus on at practices.

"We try to stay even emotionally during a match," McKenzie said. "The team leveled out when we got behind and even inclined in their effort a little bit."

Jessica Zavadak (Lebanon, PA / Cedar Crest) and Wynter Adams (Houtzdale, PA / Moshannon Valley) each took a shot on goal during the final minutes to try and get the equalizer but Gabriella Cotugno made both saves.

Aubrie Christensen (Litiz, PA / Manheim Township), Sarah Rhodes (Bloomfield, NY / Bloomfield Central), and Zavadak each had two shots on goal.

Juniata hosts Thiel College on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 3:30PM. They will look to get their first win of the 2015 season against the Tomcats.