Rangers Remain in Tie for First Place by Topping Gophers

TOWSON, Md. — Goucher was successful at minimizing the damage in the first half of today's game against Drew, but the Rangers added to the 1-0 lead they enjoyed at the break three times during the second period to come away with a 4-0 victory over head coach Megan Williams' Gophers.

The victory kept Drew tied with Juniata for first place in the Landmark Conference.

The Rangers (12-2, 4-0 Landmark) unleashed a total of 18 shots in the opening 35 minutes, but starting goalie Demie Huffman (Granville, Ohio/Granville) of the Gophers was able to make a save on six of the seven that were on target. The only goal the sophomore allowed in the first half was set up by Brooke Gagliano, who sent a cross from the right side that Taryn Murphy was able to knock in with 6:04 left to play in the period.

Sam Barcia, the leading goal-scorer in the Landmark Conference in 2013, tallied her 18th of the season 6:35 into the second half and followed with No. 19 approximately 12 minutes later, extending Drew's lead to 3-0. A goal by Amber De Marco with 2:29 left to play closed out the scoring.

With the Gophers (3-10, 0-4 Landmark) still down only 1-0 in the early stages of the second half and Taylor Striar (Laurel Hollow, N.Y./Cold Spring Harbor) having replaced Huffman in goal, Antonia DiLuca (Ardmore, Pa./Friends Central) made a defensive save on a shot by Gagliano. Seconds later, however, the Rangers tacked on their second goal.

It wasn't until after Drew opened up a 3-0 advantage that Goucher was able to get off its first shot. Of the five shots that the Gophers attempted, two were blocked by a defender, two were saved by reserve goalie Sarah Stewart, who took over for starter CC Carlini at the start of the second half, and one was prevented from going in by Murphy, who was awarded a defensive save.