Sentinel photo by MIKE GOSS Juniata's Mylee Landis fires the ball toward the goal as East Juniata's Makyla Coudriet tries to block the shot.

MIFFLINTOWN — After an 0-2 start to the girls soccer season, Juniata has bounced back in a big way over their past two games.

The Lady Indians (2-2) bulldozed Halifax last week, 11-0, and on Wednesday they kept cross-county rival East Juniata (2-3-1) off the scoreboard during a 3-0 home victory.

How has the rival game between EJ and Juniata changed over time?

“A lot of our girls play together outside of school, in club soccer and other rec leagues. Most of them are friends or at least know each other. So, I think some of the animosity that used to exist has definitely diminished, which is a great thing, but it is still always a competitive game. It is nice to just shake hands at night at the end and know these competitive games just make us both better as we prepare for our respective district playoffs later in the season,” Indians coach Garrick Paden stated.

Tigers coach Brian Robinson echoed a similar statement with regards to athletes playing together.

“I think with the merger of a lot of sports between the two schools and the fact that some of the kids play club sports together on the same team, it has lost something, but that said, you always want to beat them. It’s always a big game,” EJ’s leader said.

Emerson Freed chalked up a pair of goals and teammate Mylee Landis added one score for Juniata.

Thea Beward, Aubryn Diehl and Sara Montoya each had an assist in the soccer match.

Juniata goalkeeper Yaa Serwaa had three saves. EJ had four saves.

Juniata tallied seven shots as EJ had three. Juniata had more corners, 4-2.

Next, Juniata hosts Midd-West on Saturday at 11 a.m. EJ plays Millville on Monday at 6:30 p.m.

Game notes

–Paden and Robinson each shared some of the games that have stood out between the EJ and Juniata soccer programs over the years. Robinson said, “One that stands out to me was the 2019 game at home. We had just won a night game up at Dietrick pretty easily the week before. The next game only a few days later was much different. EJ was up 2-1 and Juniata scored with about a minute or so to go to tie it up. Then, Thea Neimond scored with about 30 seconds to go to win the game.”

Paden highlighted, “A few years ago, the season the EJ girls made a deep state run, we both came into our game together undefeated. We played them at home and well…the game didn’t go our way, it was a blowout. We lost by seven or eight… That game was on a Saturday, we played them again on the following Tuesday. Our practice Monday was all about our off-the-ball shape and moving together as a defensive unit. On Tuesday, we lost 3-2 on a last second goal from Thea Neimond. It wasn’t a win in the books, but seeing our girls band together and go out there and fight against a great team was a huge win in my book.”

From staff reports

Huskies nudge Indians, 1-0

WAYNESBORO — Mackenzie Peachey scored at the 16-minute mark in the first half as Mifflin County beat Waynesboro Wednesday, 1-0.

Liberty Cook had seven saves for MC (3-3, 3-3 Mid-Penn).

The Indians outshot MC, 7-5. They had more corners, 2-0.

Abby Byers had four saves in the defeat.

The Huskies have a noon pitch versus East Pennsboro on Saturday.

JV Huskies lost to Waynesboro, 6-0.

Mifflin County 1, Waynesboro 0

MC 1-0–1

WB 0-0–0

First half

MC-Mackenzie Peachey (16:00).

Shots

WB 7-5.

Corners

WB 2-0.

Saves

MC (Liberty Cook) 7, WB (Abby Byers) 4.

Mustangs blank Wildcats, 3-0

MILL HALL — Midd-West got a goal from Addie Maust and two goals from Bella Knepp during their 3-0 win over Central Mountain Wednesday.

“We came out ready to play. Bella hit space well and was able beat the keeper. We’ve been struggling offensively, so it was nice to get on the board early,” Midd-West coach Zach Knepp said.

Midd-West is now 1-2-1 (1-0-1 PHAC) and Central is 1-6 (0-2 PHAC).

Midd-West 3, Central Mt. 0

MW 2-1-3

CM 0-0-0

Scoring

Goals

MW-Bella Knepp (Emery Peters)

MW-Bella Knepp (Ava Aitkins)

MW-Addie Maust (Maddie Bonsall)

Shots

MW 16-2.

Corners

MW 4-1.

Saves

MW (Maci Tittle) 2.

BOYS SOCCER

Juniata holds off EJ, 2-1

MIFFLINTOWN — Juniata was hunting its sixth win of the season on Wednesday against visiting East Juniata (2-6) and the Indians reached that mark with a 2-1 home victory.

Juniata (6-1) entered play Wednesday having won two straight games. They topped Shikellamy, 10-0, last Thursday and St. Joe’s on Monday, 8-3.

EJ entered the contest with a two-game losing streak.

Juniata got a goal from Jackson Shellenberger at the 2:13 mark in the first half as Ricky Guante had the assist.

Daniel Lopez added much needed insurance with a penalty kick in the first half (1:13).

In the final half, EJ scored at the 2:22 mark to make it 2-1.

Goalie Nolan Imes had six saves for Juniata. EJ’s Kelton Bonnell had 13. Juniata outshot EJ, 11-3. The Indians had more corners, 9-0.

EJ head coach Tyler Inch talked about the difference in the rivalry with Juniata and how it’s evolved over time.

“I think the rivalry isn’t quite as strong as it once was. There are a lot of sports that have to combine between our schools now so a lot of guys know each other so there isn’t as much animosity between them. At least that’s the case for some players. However, there is still a pretty deep desire for having the county bragging rights so it’s always a competitive game,” Inch commented.

Despite their struggles, the Tigers are close to a breakthrough.

“Rivalry games are always going to be a challenge. Up to this point, we’ve been right on the cusp of what feels like a big breakthrough where we put together a full 80 minutes. I’m hoping that the boys are using the rivalry game as motivation to focus on doing what we need to do to play our best soccer,” Inch said about the Juniata matchup.

Next, EJ plays West Shore at noon on Saturday. Juniata visits Greenwood on Monday at 6:30.

TENNIS

Huskies top Patriots, 4-1

LEWISBERRY — Mifflin County girls tennis beat Red Land Wednesday, 4-1.

In singles play, Maddy Clinard defeated Patriot Allison Walker, 6-4, 2-6, 7-5. Ava Kelly won both sets versus Patriot Gabby Mateo, 6-4, 6-2. Huskies’ Marcella McKee outdueled Teagan Sierer, 6-2, 6-3.

In doubles action, Lillian Robbins and Piper Shelley defeated Huskies Emmah Miller and Delaynie Newlen. Alexis Allen and Gladrielle Leonard topped Patriots Kora Wolfe and Claire Young, 6-2, 5-7, 6-4.

The Huskies (4-4) host Lower Dauphin at 4 p.m. today.

FROM TUESDAY

GOLF

Huskies battle at Iron Valley

LEBANON — Mifflin County golf competed Tuesday at Iron Valley Golf Course, the home of Palmyra. MC went 0-6 on the day. The Huskies were led by Evan Breon who shot an 81 which was good for 10th place.

Jude Zook shot 94 which finished in a tie for 19th place. Caleb Bubb shot 98, good for 25th, and Chase Krepps rounded out the scoring with a 103 which placed 30th.

MC now stands at 1-32 on the season and 0-30 in the Mid-Penn Keystone.

The Huskies are back in action on Monday at Colonial Country Club, the home course of Bishop McDevitt.

BOYS SOCCER

Mustangs best Black Panthers, 4-0

MIDDLEBURG — Midd-West boys soccer defeated Milton Tuesday, 4-0.

Jacob Sellers scored at the 39:21 mark in the first half. Brett Bickhart, Evan Devine and Abram Sellers each had a goal in the second half for the Mustangs.

Midd-West outshot Milton, 13-1. They also had more corner kicks, 10-2.

Milton posted more saves, 8-1.

Midd-West (5-1, 1-0 Heartland) meets Danville today. Milton (3-3, 0-1 Heartland) plays Selinsgrove today.

Midd-West 4, Milton 0

MI 0-0–0

MW 1-3–4

First half

MW-39:21 Jacob Sellers (Layden Swinehart).

Second half

MW-50:00 Brett Bickhart (Gabe Romig).

MW-53:00 Evan Devine (Connor Stoltzfus).

MW-75:00 Abram Sellers unassisted.

Shots

MW 13-1.

Corners

MW 10-2.

Saves

Milton 8-1.

VOLLEYBALL

Falcons spike Huskies, 3-1

HUMMELSTOWN –Lower Dauphin volleyball beat Mifflin County Tuesday, 25-12, 23-25, 25-14, 25-21.

Jamilee Gilbert led the Huskies offense by tallying nine assists and four aces. Kate Hartzler and Rylie Kahley racked up seven and six kills, respectively. The Huskies’ blocking game was strong this evening with Ella Hartzler and Leah Hartzler tallying four blocks each. Kate also added three blocks and two aces in the effort. The defense was led by Rylie and Emily Porch, grabbing 17 and 16 digs, respectively.

JV Huskies started off the match dropping the first set, 25-18, but rallied to take games two and three with scores of 25-16 and 15-9. The Huskies were led by Jayda Thomas who tallied eight assists, four kills and three aces. Jovi Bush and Janessa Collins added four kills each and Olivia Bedlyon added two blocks. Briah Moore led the defense with eight digs with Jovi chipped in five and Ayden Long and Jayda added four each.

Mifflin County (0-5) travels to Southern Huntingdon on Monday.