Gophers End Up One Goal Short of Spartans
Penalty Corner Produces Goal in First Half by KramerOct. 9, 2007
TOWSON, Md. - Although Goucher and York were never separated by more than a goal at any point of today's game, the Spartans were able to extend their winning streak over the Gophers to 14 games by pulling out a 2-1 victory.
The Gophers (2-8) capitalized on one of the seven penalty corners they were awarded in the first half to score their only goal of the contest. Sara Spadanuta (Hackettstown, NJ/Warren Hills) and Allison Metzger (Center Valley, PA/Southern Lehigh) set up the goal by Kate Kramer (Alexandria, NJ/Delaware Valley Regional) that created a 1-1 tie with 7:51 remaining before halftime.
April McFarland tallied the only goal of the second half, the one with 26:14 left to play that put York (5-11) ahead 2-1. Megan Spangler, who provided the Spartans with a 1-0 lead when she scored a goal 13:55 into the contest, was credited with an assist on McFarland's tie-breaking goal.
After going ahead for a second time, the Spartans had several excellent opportunities to pad their lead. At one point, goalie Aline Haddad (Bangor, PA/Bangor) of the Gophers turned away a penalty stroke, and later in the game, Goucher's Barbara Koziel (Holland Twp., NJ/Delaware Valley Regional) made a defensive save in support of Haddad.
Haddad finished with eight saves.
The Gophers also had their chances to score in the second half, particularly in the final 2:00. Claire Rekitzke, who went the distance in goal for York, had to make saves on Goucher's final three shots down the stretch to preserve her team's one-goal advantage.
The last time Goucher defeated York in the sport of field hockey
was a 4-1 victory on Sept. 14, 1995.