Barminski Ends Scoring Drought in Loss to Crusaders

SELINSGROVE, Pa. -- Lizzie Barminski (Ventura, Calif./Buena) registered the second Landmark goal of the season for the Goucher field hockey team this afternoon, but the Gophers are still searching for their first conference win after falling 4-1 to Susquehanna.

Barminski's goal came nine minutes into the second half for Goucher (3-12, 0-5 Landmark), cutting the match deficit to 2-1. It was her fourth marker of the season, and she is now three behind team leader Justine Ruhlin (Cornish, Maine/Sacopee Valley).

The teams played an evenly matched first half. Goucher started off strong, generating the match's first six shots in the opening four minutes. Goalie Margaret Ruth made three saves to keep the match scoreless.

Susquehanna (9-8, 2-4 Landmark) would recover, and the Crusaders ended the half with a 15-9 edge in shots.  Susquehanna's Lauren Cram converted a penalty stroke at 30:28 for the only goal before the intermission.

Emily Novakovich doubled Susquehanna's advantage four minutes after the break, knocking in a rebound past goalie Demie Huffman (Granville, Ohio/Granville). After Barminski's goal, the Crusaders quickly responded less than three minutes later, with Katherine Millett directing in a pass from Brodie Ercole after a penalty corner.

Novakovich recorded her second goal of the match with a minute remaining to round out the scoring.

Goucher's offense continued to show signs of improvement, as the Gophers totaled 11 shots for a second-consecutive match after being held to single digits for the previous five. Annie Carter (Ann Arbor, Mich./Saline) led the way with five shots, which ties her season-high. Barminski and Caroline Less (Easton, Mass./Oliver Ames) each added two shots. Goucher's goal was its first since October 4 at Scranton.

Huffman made 12 saves in goal for the Gophers, registering double-digit saves for the fourth time this season. Barminski added her first career defensive save.

Goucher returns to Beldon Field on Monday for a 7 p.m. matchup against Notre Dame (Md.). The Gophers defeated the Gators (0-11) by a 3-0 margin when the teams met last season.