Sentinel photo by MIKE GOSS Juniata goalie Nolan Imes makes a save against Tulpehocken's Graeson Reese.

LEWISTOWN — After winning the District 6 Class 2A title last week, the Juniata boys soccer team got back to work Tuesday as they hosted Tulpehocken in the opening round of the PIAA State Soccer Playoffs at their home away from home at Mifflin County’s soccer complex. This time the game was at Donald M. Chapman lll Stadium.

The Trojans came into the contest sporting a 16-7 overall record.

Tulpehocken, out of Bernville, lost to Lancaster Catholic, 3-2, on Saturday.

It was speed versus speed as both teams came in with up-tempo offenses.

It would be Tulpehocken that would come out on top this time as they defeated Juniata, 4-0, ending the Indians’ historic season. 

“We knew they (Tulpehocken) were going to be fast and talented. We spent a lot of time planning for this game. Things did not go the way we thought they were going to. I thought we were as prepared for this game more than any other game we had this year,” said Juniata coach Jared Byler. “The first goal they earned. The second they scored during a scrum in front of the net and the third the goalkeeper made an uncharacteristic error. Nolan has been phenomenal all year. Was Tulpehocken better than us tonight? Yes. But I just thought it would be a little closer than it was. With that said, I couldn’t be more proud of our guys. These guys played their hearts out for this team this year. Regardless of what this scoreline looks like, they’re winners and they know it.”

Though the score was not indicative on how hard of a fight the Indians put up. They left it all on the field. 

In the first half, Tulpehocken started with the first drive of the game and was able to cut the field down early.

Trojan captain Connor Hussman found the net first as he broke free down the left side of the field and hit a blast past the Juniata defense, posting the unassisted goal at 31:54.

As the first half ticked down below 11 minutes, Tulpehocken added another goal on the board when the Trojans put a barrage of hits at Juniata goalie Nolan Imes. Imes stopped three consecutive hits but the ball bounced to Tulpehocken’s Van Cook and he took the rebound and sent it to the back of the net at 10:41.

Both defenses stood tall in the final minutes as the Indians found themselves trailing 2-0 at the intermission. 

In the second half, the Indians were able to push the ball deep into Trojan territory. However, much like the first half Juniata was stymied by the Tulpehocken backline. 

For 20 minutes, both teams bent but didn’t break as things stayed at 2-0.

Imes put on a show as he stopped 16 saves in the game.  

At 19:15, the Trojans picked up an insurance goal when Grayson Reese hit on an unassisted blast past a diving Imes.

As the game ticked down to its final minutes, Tulpehocken (17-7) scored its final goal of the night off a corner opportunity. LeShane Christ picked up the kick from YaKup Ozturk and scored at 2:45.

Despite the loss, the Indians (19-4-2) finished with the most wins in team history (19), took home the Tri-Valley League title and also the District 6 Class 2A title. 

Tulpehocken 4, Juniata  0

TUP  2-2-44

JUN 0-0-0

Scoring 

First half

TUP – Connor Hussman unassisted, 31:54.

TUP – Van Cook unassisted, 10:41.

Second half

TUP – Grayson Reese unassisted, 19:15.

TUP – LeShane Christ from YaKup Ozturk, 2:45

Shots on goal: TUP – 26 . JUN –   9. 

Corners: TUP –  8. JUN – 3. 

Saves: TUP –  Landon Hoffert 4. JUN – Nolan Imes 16.