Gophers Bested In Conference Play Against Cardinals

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Goucher College Gophers (3-6 overall, 0-2 conference) traveled to face the Catholic University of America (4-4 overall, 2-0 conference) on Wednesday night. The Gophers dropped the contest, 20-3.

The Cardinals started the game off strong, scoring the first goal of the game just over two minutes into the game. Kennedy Harper snagged her first save of the game after Catholic won the draw control. Less than two minutes later, the Cardinals scored back-to-back goals to give them a three-goal lead. Gaby Cruz Santiago caused a turnover to allow Katie Bloom to scoop up a ground ball. After four minutes of gameplay, Catholic scored two more goals, 17 seconds apart, to give them a 5-0 lead. At the 3:23 mark, Catholic scored a man-up goal, then a free position goal a minute later. The Gophers ended the quarter with a caused turnover from DJ Howell, and K. Bloom scooped up another Ground ball.

Catholic opened up the quarter with four goals in the first five minutes, to extend their lead to 11. Three minutes later, they scored their next goal off a free position attempt. After a Maura Poulton caused turnover, Wrenn Harney grabbed the ground ball to allow the Gophers to storm down the field for a goal from Tatiana Emeruwa, assisted by Harney (4:53). With a good, clear attempt from the Gophers, Harney found the back of the net to give the Gophers two quick goals (3:18). The Cardinals led 12-2 at halftime.

To start the second half, Catholic scored less than a minute in to give them a 13-2 lead. The Cardinals added two more goals two minutes apart to add to their lead. Three minutes later, the Cardinals found the back of the net with their final goal of the quarter coming at the 4:14 mark. A save from Harper started offensive momentum for the Gophers. Cruz Santiago scooped up a ground ball that led to a goal from Amaya Locke (2:13). The late goal for Goucher brought the game to 16-3 at the end of the third.

The Cardinals began the fourth quarter with back-to-back goals to give them the 18-3 lead. Four minutes later, the Cardinals added another goal at the back of the net. With 5:03 on the clock, Harper saved a free-position shot to keep the Cardinals at 19. Despite the strong defensive efforts, the Cardinals ended the game with a goal in the last two minutes, to bring the final score to 20-3.

Harney led the Gophers with two points off one assist and one goal. K. Bloom led the team with three ground balls, while also contributing three draw controls. Five different Gophers caused a turnover for the team. Harper added 60 minutes in goal with 11 saves. She allowed 20 goals on 31 shots.

The Cardinals led statistically, recording 41 shots to the Gophers seven. They went 3-5 at free position attempts, while Goucher went 0-1. Catholic was perfect on clears (11-11) while the Gophers went 13-22.

The Gophers are in action next at home against Drew on Saturday, March 28^th at 1pm.