Gophers Fall to Royals in First Conference Game

BALTIMORE, MD - The Goucher College Gophers (3-5 overall, 0-1 conference) hosted the University of Scranton Royals (5-3 overall, 1-0 conference) on Saturday afternoon. A strong offensive showing from Scranton led them to the 22-3 win in the Landmark Conference opener.

The Royals got on the board quickly, scoring 16 seconds into the game. Kennedy Harper snagged her first save of the game off a Scranton free position attempt, and then added saves 14 seconds apart to keep the Gophers within one goal (10:51). The Royals scored three goals in 33 seconds, with the last one finding the back of the net at the 8:39 mark. Just over two minutes later, Angelena Holmes caused a turnover, allowing Bailey Freeman to scoop up a ground ball. The Royals responded with a man-down goal at the 4:49 mark, giving them a 5-0 advantage. A little over 30 seconds later, Scranton added another goal, closing out the quarter with a 6-0 advantage.

Scranton opened the quarter scoring two minutes into gameplay. The Royals added another goal, capitalizing on a free position attempt, scoring 20 seconds later. A won draw control from Dakhai Handy led to a shot attempt from Amaya Locke. Scranton added another goal to give them a nine-goal lead with 11:14 on the clock. The Royals added two more goals 40 seconds apart to add to their lead. Scranton closed out the quarter with two more goals to continue their offensive momentum (3:11). The Royals went into halftime with a 13-0 lead.

Huda Chaudhry checked in goal for the Gophers and scooped up a ground ball. After a shot from Dayana Flores Bermudez, Holmes caused another turnover, and Katie Bloom secured a ground ball. After getting the ball back, Scranton scored the first of the second half at the 11:05 mark. Within the next four minutes, the Royals score two free-position goals. The Royals added their 17th with 5:06 left on the clock. With just under three minutes left in the third quarter, Emma Nelson got on the board, assisted by Wrenn Harney, scoring Goucher's first goal of the game. Scranton countered with a goal of their own in the last 30 seconds of the quarter.

The Royals were the first to score in the fourth quarter, three minutes in. After four minutes of play, Tatiana Emeruwa found the back of the net after beating multiple defenders. Scranton responded, going on a three-goal tear with three minutes of game time. K. Bloom closed out the game, scoring the third goal of the game for the Gophers. Scranton defeated the Gophers 22-3.

Nelson, Emeruwa, and K. Bloom all led the Gophers with one goal apiece, and Harney added an assist. On the defensive end, Holmes added four caused turnovers, and Gaby Cruz Santiago scooped up three ground balls.

Harper added 45 minutes in goal and 13 saves, and allowed 17 goals on 30 shots. Chaudhury and Alana Thaler also saw time in goal, splitting time in the third. Chaudhury spent 10:22 in goal, allowing four goals on four shots, and Thaler was in goal for 4:38, allowing one goal on one shot.

The Gophers return to action against The Catholic University of America on Wednesday, March 25^th at 5pm. The Gophers are back at home on Saturday, March 28^th at 1pm.