Box Score Box Score
SELINSGROVE, Pa. – Senior forward Marissa DeParto (Franklin Lakes, N.J. / Indian Hills) scored in the 84th minute for Susquehanna women's soccer but the Crusaders ultimately fell to Landmark Conference foe Juniata 2-1 on a chilly Wednesday evening at Sassafras Field.
SU (1-12-2, 0-5 Landmark) outshot the Eagles by a 10-8 margin in the contest, but unfortunately two of Juniata's shots found the back of the net and the Crusaders could not score the equalizer and dropped the tough fought conference match.
Juniata (11-4, 2-2 Landmark) notched the game's first goal in the 42nd minute as senior Paula Pryor scored her 13th goal of the season with an assist by Emily Green to give the Eagles a 1-0 advantage heading into intermission. In the first half, the Eagles outshot the Crusaders 4-2.
The second half began with a great scoring chance for SU as sophomore back Caitlyn Cameron (Bristow, Va. / Highland School) sent a set-piece pass into the box and senior Oriana Long (Selinsgrove, Pa. / Selinsgrove Area) sent a header towards the net, but the shot was saved by Juniata's keeper Erin Mueller to keep the Crusaders off the board.
The Eagles added a second goal in the 71st minute as sophomore Sarah Rhodes corralled a loose ball and headed a shot high over Susquehanna keeper Rachel Norbuts (Woodstown, N.J. / Woodstown) to give Juniata an important insurance score.
But the Crusaders kept fighting and finally broke into the scoring column as DeParto blasted a shot from 20 yards out in the 84th minute to cut the deficit to 2-1 with a little less than seven minutes to play. Unfortunately, SU could not find the back of the net again as Juniata escaped Sassafras with the win.
DeParto's goal was her second of the year and 20th of her career, tying Lauren Brown (1997-2000) for 8th most all-time. Classmate Angela Amato (Baltimore, Md. / Notre Dame Prep) recored a game-high four shots and junior Samantha Zuponcic (Mantua, Ohio / Crestwood / Hiram) notched a pair of shots in the defeat.
Since the beginning of the Landmark in 2007, SU moves to 1-4-2 against the Eagles, with their last win occurring in 2009.
The Crusaders play the final regular season conference match at Goucher on Saturday at 1 p.m.
