Goucher's Offensive Run Halted in Loss to Saints

TOWSON, Md. — Goucher entered today's matchup against Marymount (Va.) having registered double-digit goal totals in seven consecutive games and eight of nine overall for the season. The Saints, though, slowed that momentum and used a second half offensive outburst of their own to pull away for a 12-5 victory at Beldon Field.

The Gophers (7-3) took a 2-1 lead after Sophie Smith (Lawrenceville, N.J./Madison) scored with 13:25 remaining in the first half, but that would be their last goal for over 30 minutes of play. By the time Smith tallied her second goal with 12:42 to go in the game, Marymount had rattled off nine unanswered strikes to assume a comfortable advantage.

Most of that damage came midway through the second half, as the Saints scored five times in under five minutes of play. The last of those goals, fired in by Taylor Johnson with 13:03 left, made it 10-2 in favor of the visitors.

Jessica Borucki (Westminster, Md./North Carroll) kept her streak of scoring in every game alive with an unanswered strike to open up the scoring for Goucher. She continues to lead the team with 23 goals for the season, a total which ranks her second overall among Landmark attackers.

Rita Meissner (Yonkers, N.Y./Yonkers) and Stefi Perry (Houston, Texas/Klein) added markers in the final 3:09 of the contest. Smith picked up an assist on Meissner's goal, giving her a team-high three points on the afternoon.

Despite the final margin, a majority of the stats suggested an even matchup. Marymount held a slim 24-20 advantage in shots, but visiting goalie Tylar Abrams made several outstanding stops to limit the Gophers' offensive output. Abrams finished with nine saves overall, and she also led her team with five ground balls.

Goucher won 10 of the game's 17 draw controls, including a team-high four from Perry, while the Saints (2-6) enjoyed a 14-13 edge in ground balls.

Seven different players accounted for Marymount's 12 goals, with five Saints scoring two apiece.

The Gophers move back into Landmark play for their next matchup, a 3 p.m. home tilt against Scranton this Saturday. The Royals (2-5) came away with a 12-9 victory when the two teams met last season in a game which ultimately decided the fourth and final conference playoff spot.