(Posted September 11, 2004)

Juniata 2, Albright 1

Huntingdon, Pa. ? Two early goals proved to be the difference as the Juniata College field hockey team improved to 4-0 with a 2-1 victory over conference opponent Albright in Huntingdon on Saturday afternoon. Juniata is 4-0 to open the season for the first time since 2002, and stand at 1-0 in the conference. Albright falls to 2-2 overall and 0-1 in the conference.

Grace McCluskey (West Perry/Elliotsburg) scored just four minutes into the first half to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead. Freshman Michelle Campbell (Northern Lebanon/Annville) assisted on the goal, which was the first of the season for McCluskey.

The senior forward was not done as she added a second goal 61 seconds later to give Juniata a commanding 2-0 lead. Fellow senior Billie Rickenbaugh (East Juniata/McAlisterville) assisted on the goal as McCluskey beat Albright goalie Kristin Ianieri for her second tally.

Though Juniata would continue to dominate the action, the Eagles would be unable to punch through again offensively the remainder of the match. Ianieri would make 17 saves in the match as she kept Albright in the game.

Eagle keeper Melonie Sappe? (Dallas/Shavertown) was solid in goal for the Eagles as she turned away six Albright shots.

The Lions would cut the lead in half late in the second half as Angela Gardner scored with 12:32 remaining in the game. The score was Gardner?s sixth of the season, and brought the visitors within striking distance. But Sappe? and Juniata would hold strong and hang on for the win.

Juniata will look to match the best start in the program?s history when they travel to play at Washington and Jefferson on Tuesday night. The 1989 Juniata team started the season 5-0, which is the longest winning streak to start the season in Juniata field hockey history.

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Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.