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HUNTINGDON - It wasn't quite the debut he had hoped for, but the Jayden Bilger era has begun at Juniata College.
On Nov. 8, the 6-8 Mifflin County High School product took to the basketball court for the first time for the Eagles. Bilger, a freshman post player, was in the starting lineup and scored 12 points on 5-of-13 shooting, pulled down five rebounds and dished out two assists in 23 minutes of action.
Juniata fell, 89-71, to visiting Alvernia University on Nov. 8.
The Eagles opened the season at 0-3, suffering subsequent loss to Penn State-Altoona, 78-64 on Nov. 12 and to Lebanon Valley College, a 66-47 setback on Nov. 16.
Against Penn State-Altoona, Bilger was in the starting lineup. He played 27 minutes and scored nine points on 3-of-6 shooting from the field and going 3-of-5 from the foul line. He also grabbed five rebounds and dished out two assists.
Against Lebanon Valley, Bilger started again, playing 24 minutes and scoring six points on 3-of-7 shooting from the field. He also had one rebound.
Bodtorf shines for Juniata basketball
For the Juniata women basketball team, Bri Bodtorf (Mifflin County/Reedsville) is a junior guard for the Eagles. The Eagles are 1-1, outlasting Penn State-Altoona 86-82 in overtime and falling at Marywood 63-53.
Against Penn State-Altoona on Nov. 11, Bodtorf started and played 39 minutes, scoring a game-high 25 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the field and 9-of-9 from the foul line. She also had seven rebounds, five assists and four steals.
Against Marywood on Nov. 16, Bodtorf started and played 37 minutes, scoring nine points on 3-of-17 shooting from the field and 3-of-4 from the charity stripe. She also had four rebounds, five assists and a block.
Hidlay's hockey season ends at Susquehanna
SELINSGROVE - It was a tough ending in field hockey for Lydia Hidlay (Mifflin County/Lewistown) as Susquehanna University fell in the opening round of the Division III Tournament to Lynchburg University, 2-1 in overtime on Nov. 13. Hidlay was credited with one defensive save in the contest.
Neimond, Fogle help Messiah booters advance in NCAAs
GRANTHAM - Former East Juniata High School standouts Thea Neimond and Kierstyn Fogle have helped the Messiah University women's soccer team advance through the first two rounds of the NCAA Division III Tournament.
On Nov. 16, Messiah (18-1-3) earned a 6-1 victory over Gordon College in an NCAA opener at its own Shoemaker Field. Kierstyn Fogle came off the bench to score the Falcons' fourth goal at the 34:35 mark of the first half. Neimond didn't have any statistics but anchored a stout defense that held Gordon to one goal and two shots on goal.
On Nov. 17, the Falcons edged Case Western Reserve University, 1-0. Neimond was credited with a shot on goal in the contest.
Leitzel, Goodling guide Messiah men's soccer team to NCAAs
GRANTHAM - The Messiah Falcons men's soccer team was knocked out of the NCAA Division III Tournament after suffering a 1-0 double overtime loss at Williams College in the second round in Williamstown, Mass., on Nov. 17.
Messiah had advanced in the NCAA tourney by defeating SUNY-Cortland State in a penalty shootout on Nov. 16.
Stefan Leitzel (Midd-West High School/Richfield) was a senior on the Falcons' roster. He played in six games this season and was credited with one shot.
Former East Juniata product Trevor Goodling also serves as an assistant coach for Messiah.
Hershberger, St. Vincent fall in PAC volleyball final
MEADVILLE - The St. Vincent volleyball team finished as the Presidents' Athletic Conference tournament runners-up to regular-season champion Allegheny College on Nov. 16.
Dakota Hershberger (Mifflin County/Belleville) is listed as a freshman outside hitter on the Bearcats' roster. In the 3-0 loss, Hershberger had 19 digs and one block. It was the school's first-ever appearance in the conference final.
St. Vincent (15-12) advanced to the final with a 3-1 win over Chatham in the conference semifinals. Hershberger ended with 10 kills.