Gophers Bested by Bulldogs

BALTIMORE, MD – The Goucher College Gophers (2–2 overall) were defeated by the DeSales University Bulldogs (4–2) on Saturday afternoon, falling 19–6.

DeSales opened the contest with a strong offensive push, scoring four goals in the first two minutes of play. Shortly after, Katie Bloom caused a Bulldog turnover and Angelena Holmes scooped up her first ground ball of the game. However, DeSales regained possession and added two more goals just 31 seconds apart. Following a DeSales draw control win, Holmes recorded her first caused turnover of the game and collected another ground ball. Junior Kennedy Harper then tallied her first save off a Bulldog shot. The Gophers successfully cleared the ball and generated back-to-back shots at the 8:09 mark, but were unable to convert. Just over a minute later, DeSales found the back of the net to extend its lead to 7–0. Play remained neutral over the next several minutes before the Bulldogs added two more goals 40 seconds apart. DeSales capped the quarter with another goal at the 1:34 mark, taking a 10–0 lead into the second quarter.

Emma Nelson put Goucher on the board 2:30 into the second quarter. DeSales responded a minute later with a free-position goal. DJ Howell then made an impact on the defensive end, causing a turnover and collecting a ground ball at the 8:09 mark. Harper added another save to keep the Bulldogs off the scoreboard temporarily, but DeSales capitalized on a turnover to score again at 6:39. Three minutes later, Amaya Locke converted on a man-up opportunity with an assist from Wrenn Harney. The Bulldogs led 12–2 at halftime.

Goucher opened the third quarter with momentum, scoring two goals less than a minute apart. Camden West netted the first, followed by a goal from Tatiana Emeruwa. Both teams generated scoring opportunities over the next four minutes but were unable to convert. At the 8:37 mark, DeSales scored the first of two goals within a one-minute span to extend the lead to 14–4. The Bulldogs later added two more goals in quick succession to close out the quarter.

DeSales continued its offensive pressure early in the fourth quarter, scoring within the first 30 seconds. Five minutes later, the Gophers capitalized on a man-up opportunity when K. Bloom scored off an assist from Emeruwa following a strong clear. After winning the ensuing draw control, the Bulldogs answered with a man-down goal at the 8:55 mark. Harper added another save midway through the quarter, but DeSales scored again with just under four minutes remaining. Goucher closed the contest with a man-up goal by West off a pass from Harney at the 1:28 mark. Despite a late push, DeSales' dominant first quarter proved too much to overcome as the Gophers fell 19–6.

West led Goucher with two goals, while Harney recorded two assists. Holmes and Bloom paced the defense with two caused turnovers each, and Holmes added six ground balls. Harper played all 60 minutes in goal, finishing with five saves on 24 shots.

The Gophers return to action at 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 12 when they host Marietta.