Gophers Rally at Moravian, End Landmark Drought

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Goucher head coach Megan Williams said back in August that one of the keys to the 2014 season was building momentum through the early non-conference schedule and taking it into Landmark play.

After a strong 5-2 start in those non-conference contests, the Gophers got their first Landmark test this afternoon at Moravian. A thrilling last-second rally ensured that they passed that test with flying colors.

Trailing 1-0 in the final minute of regulation, Justine Ruhlin (Cornish, Maine/Sacopee Valley) scored a penalty stroke goal to level things up, and Lizzie Barminski (Ventura, Calif./Buena) fired in a sudden death game-winner to send Goucher to a 2-1 overtime victory, its first conference triumph since October 16, 2010.

"The whole team showed so much poise and determination," Williams said. "Not just during the game but in the preparation beforehand. We are turning into a team that can really thrive in pressure situations. This win was a long time coming."

Barminski's winning strike was her fourth goal of the season. The Gophers (6-2, 1-0 Landmark) picked up their first overtime win of 2014 after each of their initial two defeats had occurred after regulation.

Neither team got on the scoreboard in the opening 35 minutes of play. The Greyhounds (4-5, 0-1 Landmark) held a 9-4 edge in shots, though Goucher earned eight of the half's 11 penalty corners.

The match remained deadlocked until there were just under 10 minutes remaining in the second half. Christina Duddy directed a shot past Demie Huffman (Granville, Ohio/Granville) to give Moravian the advantage.

The Gophers had two chances in the ensuing minutes to equalize, but Annie Carter (Ann Arbor, Mich./Saline) had a shot blocked at 65:51 and a Barminski effort was saved by Moravian's Megan Kanyuk with under three minutes to play.

Then, with 34 seconds left on the clock, Goucher was awarded a penalty stroke chance to tie things up, and Ruhlin responded to the pressure-filled opportunity. The senior forward beat Kanyuk for her team-leading sixth goal of the season, and after the Greyhounds failed to convert a penalty corner at the end of the half, the match went to overtime.

Moravian had the first chance in sudden death, sending a shot wide 26 seconds in. The Gophers, though, earned five consecutive penalty corners after that shot, and the last of those turned into Barminski's game-winner. Ruhlin, who took the corner, registered her third assist of the season.

Goucher's last conference win prior to this afternoon was a 3-2 penalty strokes victory over the Greyhounds four years ago. After today's triumph, the Gophers are 1-0 in conference play for the first time since their Landmark debut season in 2007.

Barminski had five of Goucher's 13 shots overall to lead the offensive effort. Huffman finished with a pair of saves in goal.

The Gophers head back outside the conference for their next contest. They will take on Cedar Crest (0-6) at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Beldon Field.