Three Different Gophers Score in Shutout Victory

BETHANY, W.Va. — A well-balanced attack combined with stingy defensive play ensured that Goucher started off its season in the win column this evening.

Lizzie Barminski (Ventura, Calif./Buena), Rachel Crain (Charlotte Hall, Md./Chopticon) and Justine Ruhlin (Cornish, Maine/Sacopee Valley) each scored goals, while goalkeeper Demie Huffman (Granville, Ohio/Granville) made nine saves to lead the Gophers to a 3-0 win at Bethany (W.Va.).

Goucher (1-0) came away with the shutout despite a 15-10 advantage in shots for the Bison (0-1). The victory is the first in a season-opening contest for the Gophers since a 2-0 win over Notre Dame (Md.) in 2011, a year in which the team started out 3-0.

Barminski opened up the scoring off of a penalty corner in the 20th minute. She took the corner from Antonia DiLuca (Ardmore, Pa./Friends Central) and fired a shot past goalie Tiffany McCary.

Bethany had three of the remaining four shots in the half after Barminski's tally, but was unable to get anything past Huffman.

The game would remain a one-goal affair until the 55th minute, when Goucher again was successful on a penalty corner. This time, it was Olivia Dickert (Montville, N.J./Montville Twp.) finding Crain, who directed a shot past McCary to double the Gophers advantage.

Ruhlin added some extra insurance with less than three minutes to play, firing in a rebound after an initial shot from Caroline Less (Easton, Mass./Oliver Ames) was saved.

Annie Carter (Ann Arbor, Mich./Saline) led the way for Goucher with three shots, all of which were directed on goal. Huffman, meanwhile, picked up the fourth individual shutout of her career.

The two teams were meeting for the second time. The Gophers came away with a 5-0 win during the first encounter last September.

Goucher will look to improve to 2-0 in its home opener against Wells this Sunday. That contest is slated to begin at 12 p.m.