Juniata Christian tops Harrisburg Academy 8-3

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: September 2, 2022

MCALISTERVILLE – Both Juniata Christian and Harrisburg Academy were equally showing intensity throughout the game, but it was the Lions who took advantage of their opportunities as they defeated the Spartans by the final score of 8-3 in a non-league boys soccer game on Thursday.

Clay Brubaker got the ball rolling scoring the first goal of the game as he flew past the Harrisburg defensive line and rocketed the ball to the back of the net.

However, five minutes later, the Spartans responded as Nolan Mazza kicked the ball over the head of Lions goalkeeper Micah Dressler to tie the game up at one apiece.

But then a few moments after that, Harrisburg Academy got caught with a penalty and Juniata Christian sent Alejandro Flores De Valgaz to take the shot which he scored. Valgaz had an impact throughout the opening half as later on, Brubaker managed to kick the ball away as the Harrisburg keeper was catch away from the net and Valgaz slipped past and tapped the ball in the net for his second goal. Valgaz then later added a third goal to complete the hat trick.

Valgaz came back for more late in the half, but this time was contributing to a goal as Valgaz was attacking the outside and sent a cross pass over to a waiting Avery Portzline who proceeded to knock the goal in.

For the first half, Juniata Christian had five goals scored on five shots on goal.

Valgaz got the offense going again in the second half this time finding Brubaker with another cross pass and Brubaker made it 6-1.

The Spartans again responded quickly as Spencer Odom made a deep pass to Max Ertel for the goal before Valgaz scored his fourth goal of the game.

After spending most of the game in the net, Dressler was switched with Christian Kline and became a offensive player and the move paid off as Portzline found Dressler open and Dressler blasted the ball in scoring the eighth and final goal of the game.