HUNTINGDON, PA (September 7, 2019) --- Sophomore Casey Genovese scored her first career goal 35 seconds into the second half to lead the King's College women's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over host Juniata College from Gibbel Stadium in Huntingdon.

The Monarchs (2-1-0) went on the offensive early in the match as Natalie Poulton missed just high and a little wide from just outside the box in the opening minutes. A minute later Breanna Jacinto sent a shot from the right side to the far post that the Eagle keeper reached out and stopped. KC kept the pressure on as Jacinto and Poulton missed the net wide left in the 11th and 12th minutes. Juniata (1-2-1) took their first shot in the 22nd minute which was blocked by the Monarchs defense.

King's did an excellent job in the first half controlling the ball and not giving the Eagles any opportunities. The Monarchs held a 5-3 shot advantage while Tara Bender was only needed to make one save in goal.

The strong play continued in the second half as right off the kickoff the Monarchs drove the ball down the field getting it to Kristina Keithley on the right wing. Keithley took the ball towards the goal line and then sent in a beautiful cross towards the middle of the box where Genovese was waiting for a one-timer into the lower left. The assist for Keithley was her second of the year after also assisting on the goal in Wednesday's match against Ramapo.

The teams traded shots on goal over the next five minutes as an Emily Harrington shot following a corner kick from Poulton was sandwiched by two Erica Blackburn saves on JC attempts. The Eagles pressed for the game-tying goal with a pair of corner kicks followed by a pair of shots in the 70th minute. On the second corner attempt Alexis Ulrich attempted a shot that the Monarch defense blocked and then a second attempt by Ulrich went high.

The Monarchs responded with their own offensive attack as Lauren Geiger missed high in the 79th minute. Genovese and Harrington had their shots saved by Eagle keeper Cati Besch before Poulton put one high in the 83rd minute.

King's finished the match with a 12-8 shot advantage including 5-4 in shots on goal. They also held a 6-5 advantage in corner kicks. Freshman Erica Blackburn made three saves in the second half to record her first collegiate win while Bender made one save in the first half.

The shut out of the Eagles was King's third straight over Juniata in the annual rivalry. The Monarchs have now beaten Juniata four of the past five years and hold a 8-5-2 lead in the series history.

The Monarchs will return to the pitch on Wednesday with their fourth consecutive road match to begin the season. KC will travel to Selinsgrove for a 4 pm kickoff against Susquehanna University at Sassafras Field.