Box Score HUNTINGDON, Pa. – Susquehanna senior women's soccer player Sam Zuponcic (Mantua, Ohio/Crestwood/Hiram) scored both of the Crusaders' goals in a 2-0, Landmark Conference win at Juniata on Tuesday afternoon.
Zuponcic scored her team-leading ninth and 10th goals of the season, both in the second half and within just seven minutes of each other. She finished with a game-high seven shots as the Crusaders improved to 5-9-2 on the season and 1-3-1 in Landmark play.
It was actually the Eagles (4-8-2, 1-3-1), though, that held the edge in total shots, taking 13 to SU's nine. The Crusaders did have five corner kicks and goalie and reigning Landmark defensive player of the week Jordyn Slocum (Eagleville, Pa./Methacton) came up with seven saves.
The first half was scoreless despite a combined 10 shots from both teams. Zuponcic's first shot of the game, which came in the 20th minute, was saved by Juniata goalie Kerry Leonard and neither team had a shot for the final 21 minutes of the period.
It was a different story in the second half, however. Zuponcic's shot at the 67:11 mark sailed high but just four minutes later, she finally found the back of the net for her first goal of the afternoon and a 1-0 SU lead.
Then, with less than 12 minutes remaining, Zuponcic added an insurance goal off an assist by Alex Edelman (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern Regional) to give the Crusaders a 2-0 cushion.
The Eagles were not ready to give in and fired off two shots within the last six minutes, the second of which was saved by Slocum with a mere 23 seconds remaining to preserve her second consecutive shutout.
The Crusaders return home on Saturday, Oct. 25 to host Landmark Conference opponent Catholic at 3:30 p.m.
