Dominant Second Half Leads Gophers to Win on Beldon

BALTIMORE, MD - The Goucher College Gophers (1-5 overall) hosted the Saints of Marymount University (VA) (2-5 overall) to secure the first win of the season on Beldon field. A dominant second half propelled the Gophers to the 10-4 win.

The Gophers goalkeeper, Josh Steinmiller, was called to action early, with a save in the first two minutes. The offense rallied off the clear to score the first goal of the game from Gianni Karam off the feed from Jacob Morgan (13:15). The defense for Goucher came up strong with Nick Gambone winning the ball back for the Gophers with a caused turnover, and Jack Murdaugh finishing the shot for the 2-0 advantage. The Saints responded a minute later to cut the deficit. The game fell into a six-scoreless drought, consisting of three shots from both sides, before Karam and Morgan team up again for Goucher's third of the game with 4:49 left in the quarter. Despite numerous shot attempts in the final minutes, the quarter ended 3-1. 

The second quarter showed the defensive strength on both ends, with only one goal being scored in the 15-minute period. Despite starting the quarter with a man-down, the Gophers added six shots in the first three minutes. Offensive pressure from Marymount (VA) recorded three shots before they added the lone goal with 4:27 left in the half. Late shots were unable to beat to goalkeepers, bringing the game to half at 3-2. 

The Saints brought the game event at three with 10:50 on the clock, before Goucher's offense poured on the attack. After a faceoff win from Aaron Butera, Karam put the Gophers ahead once again 30 seconds later, off a pass from Eli Jean-Jacques. Two minutes later, Karam added another goal after causing the turnover and finishing the shot on the man-advantage. Just under five minutes left in the half, Scott Tayman brought the Gophers to six following a failed Saints clear. With seconds left in the quarter, Morgan beat the defense, scoring his first of the game. The Gophers carried the 7-3 advantage heading into the final quarter. 

The first few minutes were all Goucher, with four shots, a caused turnover from Gambone, and a handful of groundballs. The Gophers finally broke through, with Karam adding his fifth of the contest with 9:19 left to play. Morgan rallied the offense after four minutes, bringing the score to 9-3. Marymount responded off the faceoff, scoring their final goal 30-seconds later. Karam and Jean-Jacques teamed up once again for the final goal of the contest (2:13). The strong second half brought the Gophers to their first win of the season, 10-4.

Karam led the team with six points off six goals, and Morgan followed closely behind with four points from two goals and two assists. Gambone led the defense with three caused turnovers, while five other Gophers added one. Butera went 2-13 on the faceoff, while Mason Wolf went 1-3. Steinmiller recorded 60 minutes in net, earning 11 saves off 15 shots.

Goucher was 1-1 on man-advantage, and they held the slight advantage on shots (38-37). Marymound earned more groundballs, grabbing 30 compared to the Gophers 23. The Gophers went 24-27 on clears, while the Saints went 17-21. 

The team travels to Delaware Valley on Saturday, March 14th for a 12pm start. The team returns home against Scranton on Saturday, March 21st for a 12pm faceoff on Beldon Field.