Smith’s header lifts Tigers over Indians
Indians’ late comeback falls just short
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COCOLAMUS -- When cross-county rivals Juniata and East Juniata meet up in boys soccer, it's almost always a dog fight and Thursday night's game was no different.
The Tigers created more opportunities in the opening half but couldn't take full advantage. An insurance goal off the head of Rowan Smith with 14:04 remaining gave East Juniata a two-goal advantage, which held up in a 2-1 victory over rival Juniata at East Juniata High School.
East Juniata (9-3-3) held off a late Juniata surge that included a goal by Ben Wagner off a penalty kick and a shot by Bryce Rush with 2:48 left that clanged off the left post, eliminating the Indians' best chance for the equalizing goal. Juniata made a few more runs at the net but the tying goal never materialized.
"At times we attacked well, and at times we couldn't seem to find a way to get the ball in behind what looked like a high back four for them," East Juniata coach Cory Fronk said. "They were holding high, and we had trouble getting behind them. It's not easy to slow the ball on the field with the grass being so short. We had some good chances -- at least three or four -- that were pretty good. We just happened to get out with a 2-1 win."
Juniata (8-5-1) struggled to generate many solid scoring chances early and its lone opportunity in the first period came on a shot that went way wide of the net and across the field.
Indians' coach Jared Byler admitted that it wasn't the level of soccer that his team is capable of playing, but was pleased with the effort his team put in, especially in a crucial stretch that saw Juniata get within a goal with 10:42 left to play.
A nice pass up the far-right side got the ball to Henry Rivas, who worked his way into the box before being tripped up by East Juniata's Connor Hicks just minutes after a header by Smith gave the Tigers a 2-0 edge.
"We as coaches can't deny the effort and the desire from our team," Byler said. "The effort, the desire to win and the energy is there. Our biggest issues right now are the fundamentals and playing consistently. At this point in the year, our first touches shouldn't be as bad as they are. Those are leading to turnovers and we're not connecting on our passes."
East Juniata took an early 1-0 lead on a goal by Jake Brackbill, as he found open space on the right side of the 18 and fired a rocket across to the far side of the goal passed the outstretched arms of a diving Nick Dressler in net.
From there, the Indians defense was able to hold strong and keep the lead from swelling, despite numerous opportunities from the Tigers' offense that included multiple shots that went high or wide of the goal.
"That last part of the first half, I felt like perhaps we could have gotten more balls over the top and in behind their defenders," Fronk said. "We had a lot of space, and we just never really could get the ball over and in there."
The game nearly went to an extra period after Rush unleashed his shot from the left side that hit the post. The opportunity materialized after a miscommunication between a Tigers' defender and their goalkeeper, allowing Rush to fire the shot inside the box in open space.
"I give (Juniata) credit, they picked up their physical play at the end and they played harder and faster," Fronk said. "They began to generate some scoring chances and put a lot of pressure on us and our defenders. I'm glad to get out of here with a win."
The win meant a ton for East Juniata, as the program began an upward swing recently that has included four consecutive victories in which the Tigers have outscored opponents, 22-1. The Tigers will face Greenwood, Midd-West and Altoona in its next three games.
"I thought that we began to build some momentum at Millersburg," Fronk said. "It doesn't matter how much momentum you have when the two county rivals get together. It's always a physical, fast match and its usually close.
"We're just happy to have a win. We needed to win this one I feel," Fronk added. "We have a tough week, week and a half, so I feel this game was really important to us going into our next three games."
On the flip side, the loss was Juniata's third in four games.
"You're never pleased with where you're at and we certainly could be a lot better than what we are," Byler said. "It just comes down to the kids taking a long look at themselves in the mirror and thinking about what they need to improve upon, and how we're going to get better as a team. They have the desire and the energy. It's just a matter of them being able to process the game on the field and come together."
East Juniata 2, Juniata 1
EJ 1 1 -- 2
JUN 0 1 -- 1
Goals: Jake Brackbill, Rowan Smith (EJ); Ben Wagner PK (J). Assists: Joel Kell, Blaise Lauver (EJ). Shots: 21-4, EJ. Shots on goal: 14-2, EJ. Corners: 5-2, EJ. Saves: Nick Dressler 12 (J); Kobe Bonnell 2 (EJ).