(Posted September 15, 2004)

Juniata 1, Lycoming 1 (2OT)

Huntingdon, Pa. ? In a very even, and physical match, the Juniata College men?s soccer team battled through a pair of player ejections to earn a 1-1 tie with visiting Lycoming in Huntingdon Wednesday afternoon. The Eagle men are now 1-4-1 after the tie, while the Warriors stand at 3-1-1.

Juniata got a second-half goal from Jeff Gehring (Exeter Township/Reading) to knot the score after surrendering an early first half goal. The match then became a battle of attrition as the two teams combined for 44 fouls and 11 cards.

Lycoming struck first as Jeff Kocher took advantage of a misplayed ball in the Juniata end and slotted it into the Juniata net to put the visitors on top 1-0. The goal came in the 19-minute mark and the Warriors continued to control play through most of the first 45 minutes. Eagle keeper Mark Guthridge (DuBois/DuBois) made three saves in the first half to keep Juniata in the match. Lycoming keeper Jason Fesler snubbed Juniata?s best scoring chance as he corralled a header from Mike Alianiello right at the post late in the first half.

Juniata upped the pressure in the second half and finally found the net in the 74th minute. Gehring controlled a long ball a few steps inside midfield and broke free of the defender, then slid the ball past the keeper to knot the score at one.

Momentum would swing back-and-forth through the rest of the match with both teams having chances to secure the win. Kocher forced a save from Guthridge with eight minutes left in regulation, and Gehring missed wide late as the two teams would head to overtime.

The two 10-minute overtime sessions became a struggle for the Eagles as they began accumulating cards. The Eagles had their first player sent off three minutes into the overtime session, though Juniata striker Josh Cady (Malvern Prep./Frazer) had the best chance of the first overtime, but was stopped by Fesler.

Juniata was then forced to play 11-9 as a second player was sent off in the final 10 minutes, but Guthridge stopped a shot by Kocher with three minutes remaining, which was the best chance Lycoming had in the overtime.

Guthridge finished the match with five saves, while the Eagles forced Fesler to stop three shots.

Juniata will return to action on Saturday when the Eagles host Widener in the team?s conference opener.

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