Gophers Turn Back Pacers, Earn Shot at Title

Holbrook Makes Seven Saves, Records Second Shutout

TOWSON, Md. – Goucher earned a spot opposite DeSales in the championship game of the 2009 Goucher College Soccer Classic by pinning a 1-0 setback on Marywood in a first-round game tonight.

A crowd of 336 witnessed the first night game in the history of Goucher's men's soccer program and saw a scoreless tie snapped in the 61st minute after Tom Gray (Hampstead, Md./North Carroll) and Evan Rosse (Concord, Mass./Bedford) of the Gophers both got touches on the ball in the box. The ball finally settled on the foot of sophomore forward Elijah Lais (Grantsville, Md./Northern Garrett), who knocked it in the back of the net.

During the final 10:51, senior goalkeeper Justin Holbrook (Claymont, Del./Wilmington Friends School) turned away three shots by the Pacers (0-2), who finished with a 12-8 advantage in shots. Holbrook recorded his second shutout of the young season by making a total of seven saves.

The Gophers (2-0) were playing for the first time on the new synthetic turf at Beldon Field.

In the other opening-round contest, the Bulldogs defeated Randolph, 2-1.