Rotheram Brace Helps Eagles Rise Above Cairn

HUNTINGDON, Pa.-The Juniata women's soccer team used two late goals to edge Cairn, 4-2, Friday evening at Gibbel Stadium.

Brooke Rotheram (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin East) tallied two goals as she caused problems for the Highlander defense all evening. Meadow Walshaw- Wartz (Sunbury, Pa./Line Mountain) tallied a goal and an assist while Paige Bulgarelli (York, Pa./York Suburban) added her first career goal. Emma Moreland (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest) and Kali Pupo (Pottstown, Pa./OJR) had an assist apiece, with the assist being Pupo's first.  

Cairn scored in the third minute to put the Eagles in an early deficit, but they quickly bounced back. Eight minutes later, Moreland sent in a corner and Rotheram nodded it in to tie the score at 1-1. Juniata threatened several times over the next 10 minutes, as Walshaw-Wertz broke free down the left side twice but both her shots were just off the mark. Rotheram got free on another corner, but this time her header was high.

In the 34th minute, a quick give and go between Talia Bertrando (Litzitz, Pa./Warwick High School) and Brooke Emge (Waynesboro, Pa./Shalom Christian Academy) put Emge in on goal, but her shot bounced away off the post. The teams went into the half tied 1-1 as JC looked dangerous with a 16-2 edge in shots. 

27 seconds into the second half, Juniata capitalized on a chance. Walshaw-Wertz came down the right wing and crossed the ball to a wide open Rotheram who tapped it in. 15 minutes later the Highlanders found the back of the Eagle goal to knot things at 2-2. 

Juniata continued to control the game, but couldn't break through until the 84^thminute. Pupo got the ball around midfield and carried into the Highlander half. She lofted a ball just over the defender to a sprinting Walshaw-Wertz who chipped it over the keeper. Four minutes later, Bulgarelli launched a ball from outside the box that took a friendly deflection before smashing into the net to give JC a cushion.  

Bridget Shea (Garden City, N.Y./Garden City) picked up her first career win and added a save in the victory. 

Juniata will face Wilson College, tomorrow at 4:30.