Gophers Remain Unbeaten, Score Five in Win at Neumann

ASTON, Pa. - The Goucher College men's soccer team got off to a quick start and held on late for a wild 5-3 non-conference victory at Neumann University Monday morning at Neumann's Turf Field.  The Gophers remain unbeaten (2-0-1) on the season.

• Goucher took a 1-0 lead two minutes in after Ali Kazim Nakhid (Beirut, Lebanon/UMBC) knocked home a free kick from 25 yards out.
• The Gophers doubled their advantage 3:08 later on a tally by Yaya Diabagate (Hyattsville, Md. / International HS at Langley Park).  Diabagate scored on a corner kick taken by Nick Sickler (Towson, Md./Towson).
• A goal by Isaiah Perry (West Hartford, Conn./Hall) made it 3-0 in the 28th minute.  Perry knocked home a loose ball in a scramble in front of the Neumann (1-2) goal.
• The guests took a 3-0 lead into halftime despite getting outshot 8-6.  Jeff Castro (Egg Harbor Township, N.J./Egg Harbor Township) made a pair of first half saves.

• Goucher extended its lead to 4-0 9:05 into the second half as Nakhid converted his second penalty kick in two games.
• The Knights got on the board in thr 60th minute when they were awarded a penalty kick they converted.
• The goal sparked a Neumann run as it scored goals in the 62nd and 75th minutes to cut the lead to 4-3.
• Xavier Dever (Hollywood, Md./Leonardtown) added an insurance goal with 6:46 remaining as he got past a Neumann defender one on one and beat the goalie.

• Neumann outshot Goucher 19-5 in the second half and 27-11 for the game.
• Castro finished with a season-high eight saves.
• Nakhid, who leads the Gophers with three goals on the season, took a team-high three shots.
• Goucher is 2-0-1 to start the season for the first time since 2016.

• Goucher plays its fourth game in seven days to open the season Wednesday when it travels to Hood for a 4 pm contest.
• The Gophers return home Wednesday, September 14, hosting McDaniel at 7 pm at Beldon Field.