By Kenny Varner

BOALSBURG – Kicking off the season, the Juniata boys soccer team took to the road to travel to Boalsburg to battle Tri-Valley League  foe St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy.

Using its speed and ball handling skills the Indians had a strong offensive showing winning 9-0.

“Hats off to St. Joe’s. They do a great job over here. When you come into a small field like this it really changed up what we needed to do. I was really impressed we were able to get to 4-5-6 passes in-a-row. Usually good things happen when you are able to do that,” said Juniata coach Jared Byler. “I believe some of goals were off of a 5th or 6th pass in-a-row. “

Anthony Maradiaga led the offense posting a hat trick in the opener.

Offensively, the Indians outshot the Wolfpack 26-8. Juniata also led in corner opportunities by a 4-1 advantage. Juniata goalie Nolan Imes finished with four saves while St. Joseph’s goalie Charlie Ramos had 11.

Juniata jumped out on the first possession and took the ball down the field. With the early momentum Juniata was able to cash in almost nine minutes in.

Ricky Guante opened the scoring as he posted an unassisted, goal as he hit a cross corner shot at 32:41.

St.Joseph’s had its chances as they were able to move up and down the field.

The Juniata defensive backfield stopped the Wolfpack from mounting any type of threat.

Maradiaga notched his first goal at 25:22. With the goal, the Indians a 2-0 advantage.

Just minutes later teammate Chase Hartland also put one through on an unassisted blast at 21:29.

Less than three minutes later,  Maradiaga scored goal number two, sending one home at 19:11.

Juniata made it 5-0 just minutes later as Alex Portzline picked up a rebound from a shot off the goal bar and hit a header that slid through at the 17-minute mark.

With two minutes left, Jackson Shellenberger, upped the score to 6-0 as the two teams headed into the intermission.

“I don’t know if we are the fastest team in the world but I think what we saw tonight was the first game of the year the kids had life and energy,” said Byler. “It’s that beginning of the season excitement. But yes, our keys were stepping to the ball hard.

Starting the second half, the game went into a running clock scenario.

Juniata made it a 7-0 advantage when Maradiaga hit his unassisted, 32:00.

Arther Hazard put his name in the scorebook as he blasted a goal  at 20:34.

Rounding out the scoring at 15.44 was the Shellenberger again with another unassisted goal at 15:44.

Juniata is back in action Wednesday when the battle Susquenita.

Juniata 9, St.Joseph’s Academy  0

JUN 6 3 – 9

STJ. 0 0 – 0

Scoring:

First Half

JUN – Rocky Guante unassisted, 32:41.

JUN – Anthony Maradiaga unassisted, 25:22.

JUN – Chase Hartland unassisted, 21:29.

JUN – Maradiaga unassisted, 19:11.

JUN – Alex Portzline unassisted,17:00.

JUN -, Jackson Shellenberger, 2:00.

Second half

JUN -, Maradiaga unassisted, 32:00.

JUN – Arther Hazard unassisted, 20:34.

JUN – Jackson Shellenberger unassisted, 15:44.

Shots on goal: JUN –  26. STJ – 8.

Corners: JUN –  4. STJ – 1.

Saves: JUN –  Nolan Imes 4. STJ – Charlie Ramos 11.