Blazers Edge Gophers with Double OT Game-Winner

TOWSON, Md. — A pair of late goals, the second of which came in double overtime, sent Goucher to a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat at the hands of Hood this evening.

The Blazers (5-2) prevailed despite being outshot 25-7 by the Gophers (4-2). Alexis Briscoe scored each of Hood's markers, including the game-winner 5:28 into the final sudden death period.

There were no shots on either side until Emily Jewell (San Diego, Calif./Scripps Ranch) fired an effort wide in the 14th minute of the opening period. Goucher would end the opening half with six shots, though none were directed on goal. Demie Huffman (Granville, Ohio/Granville) stopped each of the two shots put forward by the Blazers.

The Gophers began to dominate possession after the intermission, and that persistence was rewarded with a goal in the 47th minute. Jewell sent a pass to Justine Ruhlin (Cornish, Maine/Sacopee Valley) from the right side, and the senior forward drilled the ball past Hood goalie Jessica Sedgwick from the middle of the circle.

Ruhlin now has five goals, scoring in all but one of Goucher's matches this year, while Jewell picked up her team-leading third assist.

After being held shotless for the first 15 minutes of the second half, the Blazers earned a penalty stroke after a Goucher foul on a breakaway. Huffman came up big, however, making a diving stop on Emily Richardson to maintain the advantage for the Gophers.

Hood generated only one more shot in regulation, but that shot was converted into a tying goal. Briscoe had an open net to shoot into after a charging Huffman was unable to kick the ball out of danger, and she took advantage with seven minutes left on the clock.

Goucher had four chances to jump ahead in the closing minutes, including a shot from Ruhlin which was sent just wide and a low liner from Lizzie Barminski (Ventura, Calif./Buena) off a penalty corner, but nothing made it past Sedgwick in goal.

Rachel Crain (Charlotte Hall, Md./Chopticon) led the attack in the opening overtime period, generating four of the Gophers' seven shots, but once again Sedgwick stood strong. Huffman made a key stop on Richardson in the final minute to send things to a second overtime.

Goucher earned the first two chances in that frame, but Briscoe ended things in the 91st minute. Ashley Griffin sent a cross in from the right side, and Briscoe directed the ball past Huffman to help the Blazers end a three-match losing streak in the all-time season series.

Jewell and Crain each finished with five shots to lead the Gophers, while Barminski added four of her own. Huffman made four saves in goal.

Goucher looks to get back on track in a neutral site contest against Sweet Briar at 2 p.m. Sunday. The Gophers registered a 2-1 overtime victory when the teams squared off last fall.