Gophers Erupt in Middle Periods, Crush Crusaders

Gophers Erupt in Middle Periods, Crush Crusaders

Final Prep Before Appearance in Inaugural Landmark Playoffs

April 26, 2008

SELINSGROVE, Pa. - Goucher outscored Susquehanna, 13-1, in the middle two periods today on the way to a convincing 19-5 Landmark Conference victory over the Crusaders.

The Crusaders (3-12, 1-5 Landmark) trailed only 2-1 after one period, but 25 shots produced seven goals for Goucher in the second quarter. Cooper Mazon (Littleton, CO/Mullen) tallied three consecutive goals over a span of 4:47, extending the Gophers' advantage to 7-1 with 5:20 remaining before halftime.

Dave Duff (Westwood, MA/Suffield Academy) bunched three of his team-high five goals into the third period, which ended with Goucher (10-4, 5-1 Landmark) ahead 15-2.

In all, 10 different players scored goals for the Gophers, who finished with a whopping 62-29 edge in shots.

Ryan Walters accounted for four of Susquehanna's five goals, scoring three of the four in the fourth quarter.

Chris Stricklin (Germantown, MD/Seneca Valley) made his first start of the season in goal for Goucher and allowed only two goals while playing into the fourth period.

The game was the Gophers' final tune-up before their appearance as the No. 2 seed in the inaugural Landmark Conference championship tournament. Goucher will host third-seeded Scranton in one of Wednesday's two semifinals.