COCOLAMUS – Ironically on the silver anniversary of the East Juniata Tigers sitting atop the Tri-Valley League field hockey world, this year’s team will be sidelined.
During the 2000 campaign, East Juniata legend Jamie Nace racked up a TVL-best 25 goals and 58 points, while the last Tigers’ squad netted one goal all season.
East Juniata went a stellar 13-2-1 in league play that season, while today’s Tigers have endured a 49-game TVL losing streak. The last Tiger win came on Oct. 12, 2017, in a 3-0 decision against Lancaster Country Day, a team no longer in the league.
The Tigers tied for the most shutouts in the TVL that year with Middleburg at 9. Now, East Juniata was blanked in all eight of its TVL games and 15 of 16 games overall. Outscored 182-1, the Tigers’ lone goal came in a 12-1 loss to Middleburg.
Those glory days are long gone for a program that has officially had its season shelved due to a lack of numbers. A program stocked by two high schools – since it’s a cooperative with Juniata and East Juniata high schools – simply couldn’t play with six players. A total of 11 were needed to field a team, and that didn’t happen for first-year head coach Kailee Warner, who is the latest hire in what has become a revolving door in recent years.
Warner was a member of the 2020 Newport field hockey state runner-up squad. She hoped to bring her energy and pedigree to the East Juniata program, but it could be a tough sell.
Field hockey is definitely a bigger draw in Perry County where she played as Susquenita, Newport, Greenwood and West Perry traditionally field strong programs. Those four teams consistently qualify for the district and state playoffs.
School officials hope she can bring that culture, enthusiasm and pride to Juniata County.
Juniata County Athletic Director Travis Quici said there are six players on the squad, but strong numbers in the junior high program indicate a bright future, allowing the field hockey program to get back on track.
“Right now, (coaches and players are) continuing to practice on a limited basis, but no games are scheduled,” Quici explained. “We are working on recruiting more potential athletes at both high schools as well as the junior high to build interest moving forward.”
Having a strong group of six girls excited to help Warner build a foundation down the road, but it wasn’t enough to save the 2024 season.
The few returning players also have a strong sense of leadership and responsibility to know what creates a successful team. The outlook for this year is now moot.
With the loss of East Juniata, the once-powerful Tri-Valley League has dwindled to four teams this season, with Greenwood, Line Mountain, Newport and Susquenita.
