Ruhlin Earns Landmark Offensive AOTW Recognition

TOWSON, Md. — Justine Ruhlin (Cornish, Maine/Sacopee Valley) contributed to both goals in Goucher's 2-1 come-from-behind conference victory over Moravian on Saturday, and she was rewarded this afternoon as the Landmark Offensive Athlete of the Week for September 22-28.

Ruhlin has led the Gophers in scoring in each of her first three seasons, but this is the first time she has been recognized by the conference for her efforts. This is also Goucher's first Landmark weekly honor in field hockey since Micki Manheimer earned Defensive POTW accolades on Oct. 18, 2010.

On Saturday, the Gophers were 34 seconds away from defeat to the Greyhounds before they were awarded a last-minute penalty stroke. Ruhlin came through in the clutch, lifting a shot past goalie Megan Kanyuk to send the game into overtime (video below). The goal was the 27th of her career, moving her into a tie with Saburah Posner for the fourth-most goals in program history.

Just 5:59 into the first OT session, the senior co-captain assisted on the game winner by Lizzie Barminski (Ventura, Calif./Buena) as Goucher registered its first Landmark win in four seasons and improved its record to 6-2 this fall. Ruhlin leads the Gophers with six goals in 2014, and she is additionally tied for the team lead with three assists.

Goucher returns to Beldon Field at 4 p.m. Wednesday against Cedar Crest. The Gophers return to Landmark play next Saturday when they host Elizabethtown at 1 p.m.