Juniata Captures 2024 ECAC Men's Soccer Crown
HUNTINGDON, Pa. – Early scoring guides No. 1 Juniata College to a 3-1 victory over No. 3 Rutgers-Newark to capture the 2024 ECAC Division III Men’s Soccer Championship title. The Eagles closed out the 2024 campaign with a 13-3-6 mark while the Scarlet Raiders end the year at 11-8-4.
Juniata’s Shawn Tanaka was named Most Valuable Player for his performance. He tallied four shots with two on goal, a goal, and an assist.
Just under four minutes into the first half, Juniata’s Brandon Marzula was awarded a penalty kick, but goalie Pedro Flores denied the attempt. The Eagles after that wasted no time getting on the board as Jase Colino picked up a pass from Tanaka to find the back of the net at 8:38 to make it, 1-0. Juniata’s defense for the next 20 minutes didn’t allow the Scarlet Raiders to get a shot off. Marzula, who was denied on the earlier penalty kick, tallied an unassisted goal at 28:33 to make it 2-0 Juniata. His goal later would be the game-winner for the Eagles.
Little over two minutes later, Rutgers-Newark was able to cut the lead in half and make it a 2-1 contest when Brandon Castro scored at 30:41. The Scarlet Raiders attempted to tie the game seven minutes later but it was stopped by goalie Maxwell Mattioni. The Juniata defense held the one-goal lead going into halftime as it allowed two shots both of which went high.
Rutgers-Newark came out of the locker room with the momentum on its side but was unable to get a shot on goal. Juniata later added an insurance goal in the 78
th minute when Tanaka scored an unassisted goal to make it, 3-1. The Eagles after that held the lead as the defense didn’t allow a shot on goal as they secured the victory.
Each team tallied 11 shots each with Juniata placing eight of them on goal to the Scarlet Raiders two (both in the first half).
Marzula finished with two shots (both on net) and a goal for the Eagles.
Rutgers-Newark’s Castro tallied the teams on only one goal while teammate Jonah Dias recorded two shots with one on goal.
Goalie Flores registered five saves on eight shots faced for the Scarlet Raiders.
Most Valuable Player
Shawn Tanaka - Juniata
All-Tournament Team
Shawn Tanaka - Juniata
Sean Weiland - Juniata
Max Mattioni (GK) - Juniata
Beckett Young - Juniata
Jase Colino - Juniata
Pedro Flores (GK) - Rutgers Newark
Brandon Castro - Rutgers Newark
Darius Holmes – Rutgers Newark
Noah Rodriguez - McDaniel
Brandon Morse - McDaniel
Connor Kraycik - Alvernia
Ryan Cogill - Alvernia