HUNTINGDON, Pa. - A hard-fought field hockey contest between two Eagles squads exploded after halftime, with Juniata defeating Bridgewater 4-2 on Friday night in Huntingdon, Pa.

After a tense first half that saw little in the way of shot attempts, the sides combined for four goals in the opening 15 minutes of the final period.

Elizabeth Washington and Shannon Strosser each recorded second half tallies for the visitors, who were victimized by two opposing goals on penalty corners.

The teams combined for only one shot on goal in the entire first half, but that shot hit the back of the cage off the stick of Juniata's Katie Alexander.

Following an BC foul, Alexander lifted a shot into the top shelf to put Juniata ahead.

Marisa Sims had a decent look two minutes before halftime, but had her attempt blocked on the first Bridgewater shot of the afternoon.

Juniata fired away from outside twice in the 26th minute of action, but attempts from Brittany Meier and Sarah Spencer were off target.

JC earned a penalty corner early in the second half. After inserting the ball, Sarah Bilheimer cut inside and redirected a Meredith Shephard shot in for a 2-0 lead.

Bridgewater responded eight minutes later, as Washington scored unassisted to halve the Juniata lead.

The hosts struck right back with two goals in the next 4:19, including Alexander scoring on a penalty corner. Bilheimer lifted a shot over BC substitute goalie Hannah Rioux to make it 4-1 with just over 20 minutes remaining.

BC didn't go quietly, puling one back from Strosser in the 62nd minute. Madison Clement rolled an attempt just wide in the 67th minute, but that was the final chance Bridgewater put together before the final horn.

Bridgewater head coach Allyson Kenyon was facing her alma mater after playing for Juniata from 1996-99.

BC faces another tough opponent on a quick turnaround, traveling to Dickinson tomorrow at 4:00 p.m.