Gophers Turn Back Yellow Jackets, Gain First Win

TOWSON, Md. — Goucher carried a shutout into the latter stages of the third quarter today on the way to its first victory of the season, a 12-5 triumph over Randolph-Macon.

With sophomore midfielder Derek Bitzer (Doylestown, Pa./LaSalle College) accounting for three of the goals, the Gophers bolted out to a 5-0 lead after one period. They tacked on three more goals in the second quarter and enjoyed an 8-0 advantage on the scoreboard after 30 minutes.

Unassisted goals by Owen Demmerly (Medford, N.J./Shawnee) and Conner Annunziato (West Chester, Pa./Bayerd Rustin) just 36 seconds apart extended Goucher's lead to 10-0 in the third quarter. Randolph-Macon's first goal of the contest was scored by Kyle Keepers with 1:03 remaining in the period and the Yellow Jackets (0-4) added an extra-man tally by Tait Buttrey with :34 showing on the clock.

So, for the second year in a row against Randolph-Macon, head coach Brian Kelly's squad entered the fourth quarter ahead by eight. A year ago, the Yellow Jackets knocked an 11-3 deficit down to 13-12 before time expired.

This year, however, the Gophers (1-1) never let their opponent get back in the game. Two goals by Pierce Bailey (Miami, Fla./Gulliver Prep), both set up by Demmerly, had the home team back on top by 10 less than five minites into the final period.

Demmerly finished with two goals and four assists, while Annunziato had two goals to go along with a pair of assists.

Matt Messerle (Limerick, Pa./Spring-Ford) started in goal for the Gophers and made seven saves before being lifted midway through the fourth quarter. Backup Edward Hellier (South Portland, Maine/South Portland) stopped an additional six shots over the final 8:19.

Andrew Schwartz (San Antonio, Texas/St. Mary's Hall) handled 19 of the faceoffs for Goucher and won 12 of them.

The Gophers, who gained a 9-7 edge in the all-time series with the Yellow Jackets with today's win, play their next game on Tuesday when they travel to Westminster, Md. to take on McDaniel. The opening face-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.