HUNTINGDON, Pa. – The Geneva College women's soccer team opened up its season on Friday afternoon at Juniata, picking up a big road win, 1-0, behind a first-half goal from junior Noelle Beare.  The victory was an impressive start for a young team that is replacing several starters from last year's squad, with the Golden Tornadoes' second-year Head Coach Micah Fitz inserting five freshmen into the starting lineup on Friday.

Neither team could generate much offense early, as Geneva's central defensive duo of senior Anna Ulmer and freshman Cassidy Stopchick held strong, alongside senior outside back Olivia Reath and sophomore outside back Rebekah Dick.

The first decent chance of the match came midway through the first half when Juniata's Camille McRoberts hit a curling shot from the edge of the box towards the far corner, but Geneva's freshman goalkeeper Natalie Foster made a diving stop on the attempt, confidently catching the shot while not allowing a rebound.

Seven minutes before halftime, junior Abby Stover was fouled while making a run at the corner of the Juniata box.  Beare took the ensuing free kick and sent a curling, left-footed shot into the box that took a slight deflection just before it got to the Juniata goalkeeper, and the deflection sent the ball into the back of the net to give the Golden Tornadoes a 1-0 lead heading into the break.

Geneva really locked down defensively in the second half, preventing any threatening chances for the Eagles.  The shots Juniata did take came from range and were easily handled by Foster, with the Golden Tornadoes cleanly seeing the game out for the 1-0 shutout victory.

Juniata finished with a 7-3 edge in total shots, including a 3-2 advantage in shots on goal, as neither team's offense could create many chances.  Foster was impressive in goal for the Golden Tornadoes in her first collegiate contest, making three saves in earning the shutout.  Stopchick and Beare, along with Foster, all played the full 90 minutes, while Stover, Reath and freshman Ruth Bartley each played 86 minutes for the Golden Tornadoes.

The women now have a short turnaround for their next match.  Geneva will make the three-hour trip home on Friday evening and then will host Baldwin Wallace tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. on Reeves Field in the Golden Tornadoes' home opener.  Geneva will be attempting to open the season with two straight wins for the first time since 2016.