BEAVER FALLS, Pa. – Geneva College's women's soccer team played a strong opening match against the Juniata College Eagles, leading for the vast majority of the 90 minutes, but a late goal by Juniata forced a draw, 2-2. Sophomores Abby Stover and Elliana Zwatty were the goal scorers for the GTs. With the result, both squads move to 0-0-1, with each team preparing to play tomorrow.

Juniata seemed to have the better of the play for the opening ten minutes, as the Golden Tornadoes struggled to push the ball past midfield and into their attacking third. However, after handling the Eagles' initial push, the women began to control their touches better and string some passes together.

That momentum culminated in the 16^th minute when Stover had the ball fall to her on top of the 18-yard line off a crossing pass from senior Emma Daku-Treas. Stover struck the ball well, but the keeper appeared to have the save lined up. Fortunately for the GTs, a Juniata defender deflected the ball on its way toward the net, and it ended up popping up and into the top left corner for the first goal of the match. Daku-Treas was credited with the assist.

Both teams appeared to get tired as the half drew to a close, and not much action occurred before the halftime whistle blew. As soon as the second frame began, however, the Eagles put together a beautiful attack up the left side of the field that culminated in a bang-bang goal by freshman Mady Fleisher. The GTs responded well, upping the intensity and pushing the ball right back up the field. Zwatty took a crossing pass from Stover into the box, patiently juking out her defender and kicking the ball through the goalkeeper's legs for Geneva's second goal, coming in the 51^st minute.

Juniata relentlessly attempted to knot the score for the next thirty minutes, playing some nice through balls to release their forwards into space. Finally, in the 86^th minute, Olivia Rodriguez put a perfectly placed shot into the top right corner of the net from 25 yards out, a goal that Geneva's senior goalkeeper Jade Farnsworth had no chance of stopping. Regulation ended with the score tied, 2-2.

The Eagles had the advantage in both shots and shots on goal, out-shooting Geneva 15(9)-8(7). Juniata took five corner kicks, while the GTs did not attempt one. Farnsworth made seven saves in the draw.

The women are back at home tomorrow, August 31, when they will play Baldwin Wallace. Kickoff is slated for 3:00 pm.

Through purposeful learning in a community reflecting the full spectrum of God's kingdom, a Geneva College experience inspires students to discover a faith-life calling in service to God and neighbor. Offering 195+ traditional undergraduate majors and programs, fully online Adult Degree Programs and high-demand graduate degrees, Geneva's programs are recognized for their high quality and affordability. Geneva was founded and is governed by the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA) and is a founding member of both the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) and the International Association for Christian Education (IACE).