Belin’s Late Heroics Lift Field Hockey to First Win of 2018, 3-2, over Ramapo

TOWSON, Md. - Senior Maya Belin (Baltimore, Md.) had two assists, then scored the eventual game-winning goal with 45 seconds left in regulation to lift the Goucher College field hockey team to a thrilling 3-2 win over Ramapo on Saturday at Beldon Field.

With the win, the Gophers and new head coach Stacey Eversley captured their first win of the 2018 season, moving to 1-2 overall. Ramapo dropped to 1-3 overall with the defeat.

The opening frame of the contest saw Goucher control play, as they eventually outshot Ramapo, 7-2. At the 16-minute mark, the Gophers cashed in on a scoring opportunity, as Belin found senior Jackie Juarez (Glendora, Calif.) who scored to give Goucher an early 1-0 lead. For Juarez, it was her first goal of the 2018 season.

That 1-0 lead held through the rest of the half and to start the second half, Goucher increased the lead to two quickly as they continued to control play.

In the 47th minute, Belin stole a Ramapo pass and dribbled from one end of the field to the other, eventually finding junior Danielle Johnson (Salisbury, Md.) near the net who finished the scoring chance to give the Gophers a 2-0 lead.

Up 2-0, it appeared the Gophers were in control of the match. But, Ramapo came roaring back, tallying goals in the 54th and 59th minutes to tie things up at 2-2.

In the final 10 minutes, both teams had scoring chances.

First, in the 63rd minute, Ramapo was awarded a penalty stroke, which was saved by Goucher first-year goalie Devin Brashear (Escondido, Calif.) to keep the match tied.

Then, after an unsuccessful offensive possession by Ramapo, Goucher came racing down the field to try to get a final scoring chance. Eventually, Belin fired a shot from about four yards out toward net that deflected off an opposing stick and into the back of the net to give the Gophers a one-score lead.

From there, Goucher played keep away and excellent defense over the final 45 seconds of regulation to clinch the win, their first of the 2018 season.

Overall, Goucher outshot Ramapo, 14-9, in the win, while holding a 10-4 edge on penalty corners. In net, Brashear collected the first win of her collegiate career, making six saves on the afternoon.

The Gophers will have a quick turnaround for their next game, taking on Ferrum Sunday afternoon at Beldon Field. Action gets underway at 2 p.m.

--GOPHERS--