Juniata Comfortably Claims Victory

ELMIRA, N.Y. - The Juniata College women's soccer team scored three goals in the first 25 minutes of play on its way to a 5-1 thumping of Elmira College, in women's soccer action Saturday afternoon in Elmira, N.Y.

The win was Juniata's first in a season opener since the 2002 campaign, when the Eagles knocked off Mansfield University 3-1 to open the season.

"I never felt comfortable in this game, because the score didn't reflect how close the game really was," said Juniata head coach Scott McKenzie. "Elmira was big, and fast, and physical."

Junior midfielder Shannon Pierce (Gilbertsville, Pa./Boyertown) opened the scoring barrage with her goal off a corner kick in the ninth minute, followed barely three-and-a-half minutes later by senior Christine Schott's (Rochester, N.Y./Gates-Chili) left-footed blast from the right side approximately 20 yards out.

Freshman Emily Pendleton (Lititz, Pa./Manheim Township) made her college debut a memorable one by pushing the Juniata lead to 3-0, with her goal in the 26th minute.

Elmira ended Juniata's shutout bid in the 31st minute, when Danielle Corjulo sent a rocket from 25 yards out just under the cross bar, past the outstretched hands of Eagle keeper Kristen Penska (North Huntingdon, Pa./Norwin).

Sophomore Caitlin Bigelow (La Mesa, Calif./Academy of Our Lady of Peace) put the match beyond reach with two goals in the second half, in the 52nd and 67th minutes. Bigelow's first goal came off a corner kick, while the second was on a shot from approximately 25 yards out.

Penska played all 90 minutes in the Juniata goal to earn her first win of the season. Elmira split the goalkeeping duties between Stacy Krom, who allowed four goals in nine shots on goals; and Karissa Wilson, who surrendered the final goal on four shots.

Juniata will make its home debut next weekend, when it hosts Keystone College on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 1:00 p.m. on Winton Hill Field.