Girls soccer: Tigers smother Huskies, 4-0
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LEWISTOWN — East Juniata made the field feel smaller Thursday night.
Every time Mifflin County tried to settle the ball, pressure arrived. Loose balls rarely stayed loose for long. By the time lightning stopped the game, the Tigers had spent most of the night dictating where the ball went and who got to play with it.
East Juniata remained unbeaten with a 4-0 victory over Mifflin County, improving to 3-0 while posting its third shutout of the season.
"We played good from start to finish," East Juniata coach Brian Robinson said. "We came out with intensity. We never really let down. We were really on the ball, out of possession. We didn't let them breathe."
The numbers backed him up.
East Juniata finished with a 12-1 advantage in shots. Mifflin County goalkeeper Taryn Hubler made eight saves and spent much of the night dealing with pressure that started in midfield and kept coming.
The Tigers struck with 38:20 showing in the first half when Acea Spade scored unassisted.
Mifflin County kept the deficit at one for more than 20 minutes before East Juniata broke through again.
Aubrie Price made it 2-0 with 15:39 left in the half, finishing a chance created by Spade. Cali Wagner followed with 11:58 remaining, scoring off a Natalie Feltman assist to send East Juniata into halftime with a 3-0 lead.
Robinson said the pressure was part of East Juniata's plan.
"That's always our game plan," he said. "Control the midfield, keep the ball, and when we lose it, work hard to get it back and move it down the field."
Mifflin County had trouble escaping that pressure. The Tigers held an 8-1 advantage in first-half shots, while Hubler made five saves before halftime.
Robinson also liked the way his team found openings behind the Mifflin County defense.
"We passed the ball well," he said. "We looked for opportunities to move the ball down the field, and we executed some through balls."
Those runs weren't always timed correctly. East Juniata was caught offside several times, giving Robinson something to work on despite the comfortable margin.
"The forwards need to time their runs better, but in the same token, sometimes we need to play the ball a little quicker to keep them onside," Robinson said.
Wagner added her second goal with 33:30 showing in the second half. Spade picked up another assist, giving her a goal and two assists on East Juniata's four scores.
The Huskies never found an answer at the other end. McKenzie Hart made one save for East Juniata, which still hasn't allowed a goal this season.
The loss dropped Mifflin County to 0-3-1.
The game never reached its scheduled ending. Lightning moved into the area during the second half, and officials stopped play with 17 minutes remaining.
East Juniata had already made its case.
For Robinson, the four goals were only part of it. He pointed to a defense that has opened the season without conceding a goal.
"The defense doesn't get enough credit," Robinson said. "We're 3-0 right now. Three shutouts. They're playing phenomenal back there. They're communicating, doing all the right things."
Robinson believes the offense can still improve its timing and become more efficient with its runs. The early results have given him plenty to like while those details get sorted out.
"I'm super happy," Robinson said. "The team chemistry is great. We're playing together as a team."
East Juniata 4, Mifflin County 0
East Juniata 3 1 – 4
Mifflin County 0 0 – 0
First half
EJ – Acea Spade (unassisted), 38:20.
EJ – Aubrie Price (Acea Spade), 15:39.
EJ – Cali Wagner (Natalie Feltman), 11:58.
Second half
EJ – Cali Wagner (Acea Spade), 33:30.
Shots: East Juniata 12, Mifflin County 1.
Corners: East Juniata 0, Mifflin County 0.
Saves: Mifflin County – Taryn Hubler 8; East Juniata – McKenzie Hart 1.
Game called because of lightning with approximately 17 minutes remaining.