Gophers Score First in 2-1 Setback Against Royals

TOWSON, Md. — Goucher got on the scoreboard first in today's Landmark Conference contest against Scranton, but the Royals answered twice in a span of just over three minutes midway though the second half to gain a 2-1 victory over head coach Megan Williams' Gophers.

Following a scoreless first half, Lizzie Barminski (Ventura, Calif./Buena) put Goucher up 1-0 by tallying her sixth goal of the season just 3:32 into the second period. The play started with the Gophers being awarded a penalty corner and Justine Ruhlin (Cornish, Maine/Sacopee Valley) inserting the ball, getting it back and sending a pass into the box where Barminski took a rip and fired it past the opposing goalie.

The score didn't change until Scranton was awarded a penalty corner approximately 12 minutes later which led to a shot by Cassie Mullen. Mullen's attempt was blocked, but Elizabeth Yorey was right there to put in the rebound for her first goal of the season.

The tie didn't last long and it was Yorey who saw to that. She notched her second goal of the season with 15:32 left to play, providing the Royals (10-2, 2-1 Landmark) with a 2-1 lead.

Scranton, which finished with a 13-4 advantage in shots, became the eighth team to fail to score a goal in the first half of a contest against Goucher. The Gophers (7-4, 1-2 Landmark) have outscored their 11 opponents, 15-4, in the first 35 minutes of games.

Goucher is back in action when it travels to the nation's capital to face Catholic in another Landmark Conference affair Wednesday at 7 p.m.