Lycoming Defeats Juniata 20-15 In Opener
Smith Leads Balanced Warrior Offense With Two Touchdowns

HUNTINGDON, Pa. --- The Lycoming Warriors opened their season with a 20-15 win against the Golden Eagles of Juniata College on Saturday afternoon in Huntingdon.  The Warriors played very well in the first half, scoring 17 of their 20 points in the first two quarters.

After failing to convert on a fourth down attempt during their first offensive drive, junior defensive back Vreeland Wood (Hamburg, Pa.) intercepted a Juniata pass attempt on third down, and returned it to the Juniata 15 before being forced out of bounds.  The Warriors could not get much going on the short drive, and settled for a 31-yard field goal from sophomore kicker Mike Monastra (Havertown, Pa.), the first of his two 3-pointers of the day.

After stoning Juniata on third and long, Lycoming put together a 12 play 51-yard scoring drive culminating with a touchdown pass from senior quarterback Glenn Smith (Watsontown, Pa.) to Bill Margetich (Glenolden, Pa.) from 11 yards out.  After the Monastra kick, the score stood at 10-0 at the end of the first quarter.

Juniata went 19 yards on their ensuing possession, before punting to senior defensive back/kick returner Matt Murdock (Elysburg, Pa.) who returned the ball 10 yards to the Lycoming 16. 

Lycoming started their first drive of the second quarter slowly, losing two yards on their first two plays.  They were also called for two penalties, setting up second and 23 from their own three yard line.  Smith found senior wide out Jeremy Ebert (Hawley, Pa.) for a 30-yard completion and a new set of downs.  Following a run of four yards by senior running back John Seese (Stroudsburg, Pa.), Smith connected on a long touchdown pass to another senior wide out, this time it was Tony Kopp (Saint Mary’s, Pa.) for 63 yards and a score.  Kopp finished the contest as the Warrior’s leading receiver with two grabs for 76 yards and a touchdown.

Juniata’s offense showed some signs of life at the end of the half, putting together a blistering 61 yard drive on nine plays.  After three straight incompletions in the red zone, it stood at fourth and goal at the Juniata nine, and the Eagles were forced to settle for a field goal to open their scoring.

In the third quarter, Lycoming ate up over ten minutes of clock time, thanks in large part to a rushing effort from junior Warrior running back Brandon Traugh (Catawissa, Pa.) who carried 11 times for 40 yards in the stanza.  He finished the game with 24 totes for 86 yards.  He also caught a pass for seven yards. 

Lycoming added another field goal early in the fourth quarter off the foot of Monastra from 23 yards out to cap its scoring.  From that point on, the game rested in the hands of the Warrior defense, which was up to the task to seal the victory. 

Leading the Lycoming defensive unit was senior defensive back Tim Mahoney (Southampton, Pa.) who accumulated 6 solo tackles in the contest, and two assisted for a total of eight.  The Warrior defensive unit recorded two sacks against the Eagle front, one coming from junior linebacker Matt Georgiana (Altoona, Pa.) and the other coming from Tyler Barth (Lock Haven, Pa.) and Chris Tribanas (Lansdale, Pa.).  Vreeland Wood also recorded three solo tackles and a pass break-up to accompany his early interception.

Smith finished the contest going 14-26 passing, for 211 yards and two scores.  He also added eight carries and 19 yards on the ground. 

Lycoming College is back in action next weekend as they match-up with MAC opponent Widener at home.  They are coming off a game in which they lost to Wilkes 23-20.  Last season, Widener defeated the Warriors at Chester, 15-7.

9-9-06