Persistent Goucher Attack Leads to Shutout of Gators

BALTIMORE — A dominant advantage in possession was eventually reflected on the scoreboard for Goucher this afternoon, as the Gophers tied a program record for penalty corners earned in a 3-0 shutout victory at Notre Dame (Md.).

Annie Carter (Ann Arbor, Mich./Saline) opened up the scoring late in the first half for Goucher (8-6), which ended the match with an 18-3 edge in shots and a 27-4 advantage in penalty corners. Justine Ruhlin (Cornish, Maine/Sacopee Valley) added two insurance goals after the intermission, becoming the first Gopher to score 13 times in a season since Michele Mohlman also tallied 13 back in 1995.

The Gators (3-9) registered just one shot in the first 66 minutes of play, a 12th minute effort which was saved by Demie Huffman (Granville, Ohio/Granville). Goucher, though, was frustrated early by a Notre Dame defense which made three defensive saves to go along with six stops from goalkeeper Arianna Hudson in the first half.

Carter finally broke through with 6:13 on the clock before the break, taking a feed from Lizzie Barminski (Ventura, Calif./Buena) and stuffing a shot past Hudson for her third strike of the season.

Ruhlin's two markers came in the first 10 minutes of the second half. Her first goal occurred in the 42nd minute after a pass across from Kristen Shklanko (Huntingdon Beach, Calif./Edison), who picked up her first collegiate assist on the play. Three minutes later, it was Erin Field (Sidney, Maine/Messalonskee) who recorded her first assist on a nearly identical cross across the box to a waiting Ruhlin on the far side.

The Gophers continued to pressure the Gators up to the final whistle, and their final penalty corner with 50 seconds left tied a program record which was set two years ago in an earlier matchup against Notre Dame.

Huffman was required to make one additional save late in the second half, giving her two stops overall in the match as she earned her fifth career clean sheet.

Goucher improves to 16-6 overall against the Gators, and the Gophers have now won nine consecutive matchups between the two teams. Barminski and Emily Jewell (San Diego, Calif./Scripps Ranch) each finished with a team-high four shots.

Today was the final non-conference matchup of the season for Goucher. The Gophers return to Landmark play with a 1 p.m. home contest against Juniata on Saturday. That will be the final match at Beldon Field for seniors Ruhlin, Emily Gill (White Hall, Md./North Harford) and Erica Shellem (Albany, Calif./The College Preparatory School).