MIFFLINTOWN - For the second time this year, Juniata - itself and undermanned and inexperienced program - took advantage of a Belleville Mennonite team that could be described the same way, as the Indians took a 4-1 victory from their non-league field hockey game Friday.
But both teams had something to be happy about at the end of the game.
For the visiting Trojans, it was a struggle just to get on the scoreboard, something that didn't happen until the final two minutes of the game. The Indians hit an even bigger milestone - they won for the fourth time this year, matching the total that last year's seniors saw in their careers.
Danielle Ames and Lizzy McClure scored three minutes apart in the game's first 10 minutes, giving Juniata what would prove to be an insurmountable win.
"I thought they had really good forward movement, working the ball up the field. The first half they were definitely working together as a team," Juniata coach Becky Loy said of her squad.
Julie Wagner score 10 minutes later; Makenzie Bishop put the last one away for her team just before the half ended. Megan Yeager got two assists on the four tallies.
Belleville Mennonite was able to get past the Juniata defense more often in the second half, but wasn't able to get a ball into the cage until the game was close to its end. Meredith Spicher scored it off a cross by Hannah Templeton. Even Loy had to admit it was a good goal.
"That was nice getting it up the field and getting it across," she said.
"We did better in the second half," Trojans coach Glenna Young said. "They did a good job staying in the game even though we were behind. We finally got a goal, so that was good."
Juniata (4-3) hosts Midd-West Monday. Belleville Mennonite (2-4) hosts East Juniata Monday.
Field hockey
Midd-West 8, Millville 1
MIDDLEBURG - A shorthanded Millville squad was no match for a liberally substituted Midd-West field hockey team Friday, as the Mustangs knocked off the Quakers 8-1 in a Heartland Conference interdivisional game.
Katelyn Walter had two goals in the win, the only player with more than one. Larissa Sparrer and Jess Whitesel each had a goal and an assist.
Midd-West (4-4) visits Juniata Monday.
Boys soccer
Juniata Mennonite 3,
New Covenant 1
McALISTERVILLE - Jesse Watts was in the right place, at the right time, all the time Friday. The Juniata Mennonite upperclassman did all the scoring for his team in a 3-1 victory over New Covenant of Mansfield in Allegheny Christian Athletic Association boys soccer Friday.
Watts, who normally plays a stopper role, was switched into the midfield center, and made the most of it, Lions coach Kurt Wagner said.
"He did well, and it was senior day so that worked out rally well for him," Wagner said. "It helped the team out and at helped his production too."
Watts scored twice in the first and made it a natural hat trick before the visitors got on the board.
Juniata Mennonite (6-2-3, 2-2-3) travels to Northumberland Christian Tuesday.
Girls soccer
Juniata Mennonite 2,
New Covenant 1
McALISTERVILLE - Lauren Breon scored with 44 seconds left on the clock to break a stalemate and lead Juniata Mennonite past New Convenant of Mansfield 2-1 in Allegheny Christian Athletic Association girls soccer Friday.
"We kept shooting and kept shooting that last half and could not get a goal," Lions coach Trish Hoffman said.
Breon did nothing fancy to score, Hoffman said - just dribble and shoot. Alexis Hahn-Kline had the first goal, late in the opening half.
Juniata Mennonite (6-3, 3-3) travels to Northumberland Christian Tuesday.
Junior high
Girls basketball
Juniata 16, Belleville Mennonite 10. Julie Swartz led Juniata with nine points.
