Gophers End Season Play at Susquehanna

SELINSGROVE, PA - The Goucher College Gophers (7-10 overall, 4-5 conference) traveled to face the Riverhawks of Susquehanna University (8-9 overall, 5-4 conference) in the final game of regular-season play for the Landmark Conference. A dominant first quarter by the Riverhawks propelled them to the 14-8 win.

The offense of Susquehanna went to work early, forcing Josh Steinmiller into action within the first minute. Despite this, the Riverhawks were able to add two quick goals in the first two minutes. Aaron Butera won the following faceoff, giving Goucher the momentum, with a goal from Jacob Morgan with 12:18 on the clock. However, Susquehanna responded right back. Jack Schiavone won the ball back for Goucher after causing a turnover. A flurry of shots finally broke through from Gianni Karam off a Morgan pass to bring the game to 3-2. Susquehanna responded with three goals in just under two minutes. Over the next four minutes of game play, the teams combined for five shots, when Susquehanna added another to extend their lead. The Riverhawks closed the quarter with a goal in the final 10 seconds, bringing the score to 8-2.

The Riverhawks opened the second quarter with a series of shots, recording three before Karam caused a turnover to win the ball back for the Gophers. Goucher rallied with three shots of their own before Susquehanna added 11 shots and finally broke through with a goal at the 7:51 mark. Following another attempt, Ginigeme Anyaoha scooped the ball up for Goucher, leading to a goal from Eli Jean-Jacques. Susquehanna won the following faceoff, but Nick Gambone caused a turnover. Morgan fired off back-to-back shots before finding the back of the net at 1:58 for the final goal of the half. The Rivehawks held the 9-4 advantage heading into halftime.

The Gophers were first to strike in the new half, with Morgan adding another to the scoreboard just over two minutes in. Schiavone won the ball back once again off the faceoff for the Gophers to storm down the field. Scott Tayman beat the goalie, following a feed from Morgan to bring Goucher within three. Despite the early goals, Susquehanna responded with three of their own over a four and a half minute span. The remainder of the quarter was scoreless, but featured a series of shots and strong defensive efforts, including caused turnovers from Gambone and Jason Luk, and a closing save from Steinmiller. 

Susquehanna opened the final quarter with multiple shot attempts, but utilized a man-up goal with 11:32 on the clock to add to their lead. Just over two minutes later, they added their final goal of the game following multiple shots. However, Goucher utilized a faceoff win to find their next goal from James Dean off a pass from Jean-Jacques. The teams traded possessions before Milan Temple added the final goal of the contest off a pass from Tayman. Despite multiple late attempts, the contest ended with a 14-8 win for the Riverhawks.

Morgan led the team with five points off three goals and two assists. Tayman and Jean-Jacques followed behind with two points. Schiavone led the defensive efforts with three caused turnovers and five groundballs. Steinmiller played 60 minutes in net with 15 saves on 29 shots. The faceoff team went 6-26, with Milan Temple going 4-12, and Butera contributed 2-14.

Susquehanna held the statistical advantage. They outshot the Gophers 59-28 and went 2-3 on man-up opportunities. On clears, they were near perfect, going 19-20, while Goucher went 18-23. The Riverhawks also scooped up 40 groundballs compared to the Gophers 24.

This concludes the 2026 season for the Goucher men's lacrosse program, they will return to action in 2027.