BENNINGTON, Vt. – The Southern Vermont College women's soccer team took its first loss on the season (3-1) as it lost, 4-0, to visiting Juniata College (4-0) on Saturday afternoon.

                Juniata, traveling from Pennsylvania where it plays in the Landmark Conference, controlled the ball well throughout the first half, taking 11 shots while only relinquishing three to the Mountaineers.  The SVC defense stood tough, and goalkeeper Catrina Cecchini (Montville, Conn.) made the eight necessary saves to leave the scoreboard reading 0-0 at the break.

                That tally did not hold long, however, as the Eagles went up on the board just a few minutes into the second half with a goal from Emily Green (Marietta, Pa.), assisted by Katie Keating (Huntingdon, Pa.).  SVC came inches from tying just minutes later when a direct kick off the foot of Jocelyn Ortega (Chula Vista, Calif.) from a few yards outside the penalty area deflected off the crossbar. 

                Juniata increased its lead in the 70^th minute when Jenna Rodrigue (Manchester, Conn.) fed Sarah Rhodes (Bloomfield, Conn.) to go up 2-0.  That score held until the 83^rd minute when the Eagles' Alicia Snyder (Jonestown, Pa.) played to Rose Lucidi (Bayville, N.Y.) who beat Cecchini.  Minutes later, the Eagles capped the day with their final goal off the foot of Lauren Liacouras (Collegeville, Pa.), being assisted by Green.

                SVC Coach Michael Zauzig said of the match, "It was a unique opportunity for us to play a team from out of the region that plays with a different style, with strength, speed and skill, an all-around quality opponent."  Zauzig is a graduate of Juniata College, and he enjoyed the chance to play against a team which he helped coach for three years.  "It was fun to play against my alma mater and its coach, Scott McKenzie.  He's a good friend, mentor, and a coach who I completely admire.  He definitely helped me get to where I am today."

                Cecchini (3-1-0) finished with 10 saves on the day, while Juniata's Kristin Twardowski (Emmaus, Pa.) had two.  The Eagles took three corner kicks in each half, and SVC did not take any in the game.  "If today was a test," commented Zauzig, "I think we definitely passed.  We learned today what parts of our game we really need to fix going forward."

                The Mountaineers take back to the pitch at 4:00 on Tuesday when they host SUNY Cobleskill.  Juniata next plays at 4:30 on Tuesday when the welcome Pitt.-Bradford.