Streak at Four Games as Gophers Blank Mighty Macs

IMMACULATA, Pa. — Goucher earned its fourth consecutive victory tonight as head coach Megan Williams' squad downed Immaculata, 4-0. It's the first time since 1995 that the school's field hockey program was able to string together four straight wins.

The Gophers (4-1) put pressure on the Mighty Macs' defense early as they got off four shots within the first six minutes of play. Goucher's consistent offensive presence paid off as Emily Jewell (San Diego, Calif./Scripps Ranch) slapped a shot past the opposing keeper to give her team a lead midway through the first half.

After outshooting Immaculata, 12-3, in opening 35 minutes, the Gophers showed no sign of letting up as the second half got under way. They tallied six shots, three of which were saved, until Lizzie Barminski (Ventura, Calif./Buena) blistered a shot to the back of the cage with 28:23 left to extend the lead to two.

Five minutes later, Jackie Juarez (Glendora, Calif./Glendora) recorded a goal, with Christina Slachetka (Metuchen, N.J./Metuchen) on the assist, for Goucher's third of the night. The Gophers added their fourth and final goal off a shot by Caroline Less (Easton, Mass./Oliver Ames) with 18:21 left in the contest. 

With 12 minutes left to play, the Gophers and the Mighty Macs (0-6) brought in new goalies. For Goucher, Demie Huffman (Granville, Ohio/Granville) was relieved by Liz Zengel (Smithfield, Va./Smithfield). Huffman got a lot of help from her defense early on as she needed to make only three saves while she was in the game.

Goucher outshot Immaculata, 19-16, in the second half — with a quarter of the shots coming from Jewell.  

The Gophers go after their fifth straight win Saturday when they welcome Bethany (W.Va.) to Beldon Field for a 5 p.m. matchup.