Strong Offensive Showing From Gophers Propels Them Against Immaculata

IMMACULATA, PA- The Goucher College Gophers (3-3 overall) put together a strong offensive showing to defeat the Immaculata Mighty Macs (0-7), 16-9 on Saturday afternoon.

Maura Poulton started the defense off on a strong note by causing a turnover that led to Goucher's first goal of the game from Amaya Locke just over two minutes in. Kennedy Harper secured her first save of the game following a won draw from the Mighty Macs. Junior Tatiana Emeruwa found the back of the net to give the Gophers an early 2-0 lead at the 10:30 mark. Following a successful clear attempt for the Gophers, Imani Ward scored off a pass from Wrenn Harney. Three minutes later, Camden West was assisted by Emma Nelson to add another goal for Goucher. With 1:31 remaining in the first quarter, the Mighty Macs scored their first goal of the game, but Harney closed out the quarter for the Gophers by scoring a goal in the last 30 seconds, giving Goucher the 5-1 lead heading into the second.

The Mighty Macs started the second quarter off by scoring a goal just over 30 seconds in. The Gophers countered quickly with a goal coming from Ward, assisted by Locke, to earn the four-goal lead once again. Less than two minutes later, Locke found the back of the net for her second of the game. After five minutes of game play, Immaculata scored a man-down goal to chip at the deficit. A caused turnover from Locke led to a Katie Bloom goal, assisted by Harney (4:03). The Mighty Macs responded seconds later, before they ended the half with a man-up goal at the 1:42 mark to bring them within three (8-5).

The Gophers started the second half with a man-up goal from Nelson, off a pass from Harney. K. Bloom caused a turnover and scooped up a ground ball to allow the Gophers to storm down the field and score another goal from West (9:20). Two minutes later, Immaculata scored to bring them within four. Nelson scored the final goal of the quarter, assisted by Emeruwa (4:59), giving the Gophers an 11-6 lead heading into the final quarter.

Immaculata built offensive momentum in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, scoring back-to-back goals 50 seconds apart. Ward countered, scoring a man-up goal off the draw control (10:52). The Mighty Macs responded with a man-down goal less than a minute later from a free position shot. Emeruwa caused a turnover, giving West the chance to score her third goal of the game at the 7:47 mark. Gaby Cruz Santiago caused a turnover, for Angelena Holmes to secure the ground ball, giving Goucher the momentum once again. The Gophers continued to pour on the offense by scoring back-to-back man-up goals from Nelson and K. Bloom that were 30 seconds apart. Dayana Flores Bermudez scored the last goal of the game, off a pass from West, to bring in the 16-9 win for the Gophers.

Harney led the Gophers with five points, off one goal and four assists. Nelson followed her with four points, scoring three goals and one assist, while also adding four ground balls. Both Ward and West added three goals apiece. K. Bloom scored two goals, scooped up three ground balls, and had four caused turnovers. Locke also added two goals and three caused turnovers. Emeruwa had two points in the game and caused five turnovers.

On the defensive end, Cruz Santiago caused three turnovers, while Holmes added four caused turnovers and scooped up three ground balls. Harper recorded 60 minutes in goal, collecting seven saves. She allowed nine goals on 16 shots. 

The Gophers outshot the Mighty Macs 27-21, while edging them out in groundballs, 27-26. The Mighty Macs held the advantage, winning 17 of the draw controls, while Goucher won 10.

Goucher returns to action Monday, March 16th at 4pm when they travel to Virginia Wesleyan. They return home on Saturday, March 28th to face Drew at 1pm.