Juniata tops Bellefonte in non league battle

By Kenny Varner

BELLEFONTE – In the battle of top teams in the Laurel Highlands and Tri-Valley League teams, the Juniata Indians traveled to Bellefonte in a tune up for both for the upcoming post season.

On this night, the Indians offense was able to defeat the Red Raiders 6-0.

“First hats off to Bellefonte and Scott Martz as they have a great program. I don’t believe the scoreline reflects the quality of who Bellefonte is. I think we just caught them on a night where they just weren’t playing to potential. I know them and they are a very, very good team,” said Juniata coach Jared Byler.”Our guys played well and we caught them coming off a back-to-back night. Things just kind of lined up for us.”

After the two teams settled in after a back-and-forth possessions to start the contest.

Early in the contest, the Indians broke out to an early 2-0.

Anthony Maradiaga got the scoring started as he hooked up on a pass from Landon Beward, and sent it past the Red Raiders goalie at 32:02.

Before the game had a chance to settle back in, the Juniata offense struck again. Daniel Lopez called his own number as he blasted an unassisted gal at 29:49, making it a 2-0 advantage.

Defensively, the Indians were able to keep the Red Raiders in check, allowing only four shots on goal while their offense churned out 10.

With the Juniata offense providing the defense as well the Indians found itself back on the board at the 19:49 mark. Chase Hartland pressed the goal area and was able to chip in a goal as the Indians continued its early advantage.

Bellefonte would hit its first shot on goal at 19:02.

As the fist half continued to dwindle down, Juniata was able to add some early insurance goal when Maradiaga’s second goal upped the Indians’ lead to 4-0 with 13:43 left in the half.

Bellefonte was able to push the ball down late and started to knock on the door but strong backline play from Juniata was enough to keep Bellefonte at bay and take a 4-0 lead into the intermission.

“We came out to start with moving the ball well in the first five minutes. We just lost it,” said Bellefonte coach Scott Martz. “They did a really good job of taking us out of our offense. They had every one of our guys upfront man marked so we could not get the ball to our guys upfront. They did an excellent job defensively.”

Juniata led in shots on goal at the half 10-4 while their offense churned Red Raiders held a 4-3 advantage in corner opportunities.

In the second half, the Indians continued to swarm to the ball and continued its attack on the Red Raiders goal area.

Offensively, the Indians picked up where they left off attacking the ball but the goalie play of Elijah Davis kept things at four in the first.

Bellefonte continued to battle especially on defense as they were able to keep the Indians from allowing more goals. Davis was automatic in the second thwarting numerous Juniata shots.

Juniata also had its own defense continuing to smoother any potential Bellefonte long drives. The Red Raiders were only able to have short spurts of runs in the Juniata defensive end.

With the clock reading under the nine minute mark Bellefonte’s Keegan Timblin had a breakaway attempt but his shot was stopped by Juniata goalie Nolan Imes.

With 6:46 left in the game, Juniata got its next to last goal by Josue Osorio .

Cooper Adamire also added a goal minutes later, upping the Juniata lead to 6-0.

Juniata will be back in action Saturday against Mifflinburg. Then Monday the Indians will host Millersburg at Dietrick Field at 7pm.

Bellefonte will be back home to play Monday as they host Penns Valley at 6pm.

Juniata  6, Bellefonte 0

JUN  4 2 – 6

BEL.  0 0 – 0

Scoring

First half

JUN – Anthony Maradiaga from Landon Beward, 32:02.

JUN –  Daniel Lopez unassisted 29:49.

JUN – Chase Hartland Unassisted, 19:49.

JUN – Maradiaga unassisted, 13:43.

Second half

JUN – Josue Osorio unassisted, 6:46.

JUN – Adamire unassted 3:23.

Shots on goal: JUN –   20 . BEL – 8.

Corners: JUN –    6. BEL – 4.

Saves: JUN – Nolan Imes 4. BEL – Elijah Davis 10.