WESTMINSTER, Md. - McDaniel scored twice in a tightly contested home finale to beat Juniata 2-1.

In a first half that was controlled primarily by the Eagles (8-8-1), McDaniel (9-4-2) made the most of their opportunities. In the 11th minute, the Green Terror earned a free kick just outside the box. Nick Starr directed the free kick into the box with a perfect header, then AJ Nordone one-touched it to a cutting Anthony Suarez who connected for the first goal of the game. 

From that point forward, Juniata pushed forward into McDaniel territory. McDaniel goalkeeper Bradley Mills, who was making his first start of the season, came up big time and again. In the 19th minute Blake Cassel got loose and ripped a shot towards the top corner of the goal, but Mills deflected it with an outstretched hand to keep the clean sheet.

Just a few minutes later Juniata forward Malvin Madzimbamuto corralled the ball in front of the goal and took a shot. Mills was in perfect position and blocked the shot, but it deflected to another Eagles player at the six-yard line. He tried to place the shot towards the far corner, but Mills dove from his knees and made another clutch save for the Green Terror. 

McDaniel went into halftime with a 1-0 lead over the Eagles.

To start the second half, both teams picked up yellow cards as the aggressive play continued. After the Juniata yellow card in the 51st minute, McDaniel senior Gage Souder lined up for the free kick. Souder stepped back, assessed the situation and ripped a beautiful volley that bent just below the crossbar to take a two-goal lead. 

As the half continued the Eagles continued to put pressure on the McDaniel back line. Tyler Reid and Jared Edge covered the width of the field and kept Juniata's offense in check, but the Eagles did out shoot the Green Terror 17-5 on the day. 

In the 78th minute, Juniata finally got on the board after a deflection in the box rolled to Ian Edwards who found the back of the net and pull the Eagles within one goal. The final 10 minutes were a frantic scramble to keep possession on the McDaniel side, but Juniata kept attacking and in the 88th minute had an opportunity to tie the game, but Bradley Mills came up with another huge save. All together Bradley recorded nine saves on the afternoon. 

McDaniel held firm and won the home finale 2-1.

The Green Terror return to action on Saturday at Ursinus. The match is scheduled for 3 P.M.