Gophers Pin 5-1 Setback to Owls, Improve to 8-2

BRYN MAWR, Pa. — In what should have been the first game of the season for both teams and played back on September 1, Goucher and Bryn Mawr squared off this afternoon on Applebee Field. The Gophers outshot the Owls, 32-2, on the way to a 5-1 victory.

Jackie Juarez (Glendora, Calif./Glendora) gained a 1-0 advantage for Goucher in the 10th minute as she received a pass from Kristen Shklanko (Huntington Beach, Calif./Edison) and pushed it past the opposing keeper.

Late in the first half, the Gophers (8-2) extended their lead to two as Antonia DiLuca (Ardmore, Pa./Friends Central School) scored an unassisted goal off an intercepted clearing attempt. The Owls (0-7) got that one back just seconds later with a goal by Abigail Lua — the first goal Goucher has given up in the first half of a game the entire season.

It wasn't until almost 20 minutes went by in the second half that the Gophers regained a two-goal lead on a goal by Maya Belin (Baltimore, Md./Maryvale Preparatory School). The 3-1 score lasted only 14 seconds, the amount of time it took for Melissa Joseph (Laurel, Del./Sussex Technical) to tally a breakaway goal on a play that started with an pass being intercepted by Lizzie Barmisnki (Ventura, Calif./Buena).

Goucher scored its fifth and final goal of the game in the 60th minute as Erin Field (Sidney, Maine/Messalonskee) received a pass from Belin off a penalty corner. 

Quiche Johnson (Baltimore, Md./Bryn Mawr) made her first start in goal for the Gophers and earned the win.

Up next for Goucher is a Landmark Conference game at Scranton on Saturday at 1 p.m.