COCOLAMUS - They say that in rivalries you can throw the stats out the window because they just don't matter. This couldn't have been more true than in last night's contest between the East Juniata and Juniata girls soccer teams.
All of the numbers were lopsided in the Tigers' favor, but in the end, it didn't matter. The Indians battled their rivals to a physical 2-2 double-overtime draw.
Juniata was outshot 20-5, and was outdone in corners 5-1, but a penalty kick and direct kick by the visiting squad evened things out in the end.
Article Photos
Sentinel photo by BRADLEY?KREITZER
East Juniata’s Molly Scholl (26) passes the ball to a teammate away from Juniata’s Lauren Lock (22) Tuesday evening in Cocolamus. East Juniata came away with the Tri-Valley League win. See more photos online at cu.lewistownsentinel.com.
The Tigers put constant pressure on the Indians from the opening whistle, but thanks to a brilliant diving save by Juniata keeper Joelle Winey in the opening two minutes, East Juniata was held at bay.
The Indians were unable to clear their end of the field over the next eight minutes. And with 30:19 showing on the clock, Ashlyn Erhard drilled a shot passed Winey from 20 yards out to give East Juniata the 1-0 lead.
The play evened out over the remainder of the half, but the Tigers would have the better of play. Winey was up to the task each time, and the teams would go into the half with the Tigers holding a 1-0 lead.
Fact Box
*East Juniata hosts Line Mountain Thursday
*Juniata travels to Halifax Thursday
"We didn't come out strong tonight. The second half we played much better, but give EJ credit, they are a great team," Juniata coach Brian Strawser.
The Tigers came out strong again in the second half, but could not find the back of the net, and once again it was Winey coming up big.
"We are aware that Joelle (Winey) is a good goalie. We have seen her for years, and she played great tonight," East Juniata coach Lori Goodling said.
The Indians would knot things up on a penalty kick by Carly Burns at the 25:39 mark, after a penalty was called in the Tiger box.
Kayla Hoke would get the lead back for the Tigers as she sent a shot off the post and into the back of the net with 18:03 left in the game.
"Our girls played hard and were in control most of the game, but it was your typical EJ-Juniata game," Goodling said.
Less than three minutes later, there was a foul called on the Tigers outside the box, and on the ensuing direct kick, Janelle Swartz lofted a shot over East Juniata keeper Zetta Zettlemyer, finding the back of the goal, and evening the score at two.
Play opened up from that point on, but both teams had trouble putting any dangerous shots on goal. And two overtime periods later, after playing 100 minutes of intense soccer, this rivals ended their night with a tie.
East Juniata hosts Line Mountain Thursday. Juniata travels to Halifax Thursday.
