Sentinel photo by MIKE GOSS Juniata's Hayden Burd, Ricky Guante, Drew Bennett and Daniel Lopez celebrate after winning the penalty kick phase of the 2OT victory over Millersburg.

MIFFLINTOWN — In sports, it’s so hard to beat a team three times in a row. That was a task the Juniata Indians were facing as they hosted Millersburg in the semifinal of the Tri-Valley League boys soccer championships.

Juniata would be up for the challenge of the sweep, taking the contest by penalty kicks to decide the game, 3-0.

“Millersburg’s a great program. The kids just work their tail off when we play them,” said Juniata coach Jared Byler. “We knew what we were getting into and it could be a game that went either way. Tonight I thought we controlled 90 percent of the game but we just could not find a way to score tonight.”

“I’m really proud of our defense. When I say defense I mean all 11 guys on the field. We defended so well and took Millersburg out of their game plan. We attacked really well. The only thing we couldn’t do tonight was score.”

It would be a battle of goalies as well as both Juniata goalie Nolan Imes and Millersburg goalkeeper Braden Clinger both stamped their presence in the contest. Clinger finished with 14 saves while Imes was clutch in the shootout, stopping all three shots that were hit his way, helping his team to the victory.

“It was just one of those nights me and the coaching staff said there is nothing to talk about, nothing to coach about. We are doing everything but we just can’t find the back of the net,” added Byler. “That goes to their keeper Clinger. For four years he has been a wall for them. I hope that he knows that just this one night doesn’t define a career. He’s been a brick wall and a great goalkeeper for them.”

It was a total team effort for the Juniata squad in the evening, blasting 22 shots on goal in the contest, including both overtime periods.

Defensively, the Juniata back line and front line was able to keep Millersburg in check with only five shots on goal and four corner opportunities.

It was Indians-versus-Indians in this primetime contest Monday at Dietrick Field in Mifflintown.

It would be an overtime thriller that would be decided on penalty kicks.

In their first two meetings, Juniata defeated Millersburg, 2-0, and 1-0, during the regular season. This one would be an instant classic battle.

The third would be a penalty kick victory.

With the game tied after two overtime periods, it was a showdown at the goal as the game would decide it for the home team.

Picking up goals in the shootout was Daniel Lopez, Anthony Maradiaga and the clinching score would come from Hayden Burd.

In the overtime period, Juniata continued to push down into Millersburg end, threatening to post the winning goal.

Things continued to heat up in the second overtime. However, the Millersburg goalie would come up clutch for his team.

Coming out of the second half, Juniata came out playing very aggressively and for the entire stanza was able to pin Millersburg down in its own end.

Offensively, Juniata (15-2-1) hit nine shots on goal while holding Millersburg (12-7) shotless. The only big play for Millersburg was a corner opportunity that was cleared before ever getting to the Juniata goal area. Imes was untested in the period while Clinger stopped five.

In the first half, both teams found themselves in a battle of possessions. Like two chess players planning their attack, both teams tried to strategically attack each other’s side of the pitch.

Strong goalie play by both goalies and the back lines kept their opponents at bay for the first 40 minutes of play.

The Juniata team travels to Susquenita to do battle with the winner of the other semifinal which has Greenwood facing Halifax in the TVL Championship at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Juniata 0, Millersburg 0 (3-0 in shootout)

M 0-0-0-0 (0)

J 0-0-0-0 (3)

Scoring:

First half

None

Second half

None

Overtime

None

Second Overtime

None

Shootout

Juniata 3, Millersburg

Shots:

J 22-5.

Corners:

J 10-4.

Saves:

Braden Clinger (M) 14, Nolan Imes (J) 4.