Gophers Get Back to .500 by Turning Back Presidents

Lucrative Day for Extra-Man Unit: Six Goals on 11 Opportunities

TOWSON, Md. — Goucher took advantage of the 20 penalties that were assessed against Washington & Jefferson today by scoring six times on 11 extra-man opportunities on the way to a 12-6 triumph over the Presidents.

The Gophers (4-4) came up empty the first time they were a man up as the Presidents (2-2) were flagged for an illegal body check just :11 into the contest. But Rory Averett (Ivyland, Pa./Council Rock North) tallied a pair of extra-man goals and Matt Lynch (Ivyland, Pa./LaSalle College) added one of his own as Washington & Jefferson committed a total of nine time-served infractions in the opening period.

Averett scored two even-strength goals in the second quarter as the Gophers, the defending Landmark Conference champions, expanded their lead to 6-1 by the end of the first half.

An extra-man goal by Lynch 1:43 into the third period put Goucher up 7-1, but the Presidents, who will become affiliate members of the Landmark Conference in the sport of men's lacrosse in 2012, responded with goals by Andrew Wallick, Dylan Haas and Mark Ringeling to close to within 7-4 heading into the final 15 minutes.

An unassisted goal by Zach Fratella (Wilmington, Del./Brandywine) :33 into the fourth quarter provided the Gophers with an 8-4 advantage, which grew to 11-4 when they tacked on an even-strength goal by Stephen Patterson (Minneapolis, Minn./Blake School), Averett's fifth goal of the contest and an extra-man goal by Kyle Boncaro (Geneva, N.Y./Geneva).

Fratella closed out the scoring with 2:46 remaining with an unassisted goal, completing his three-goal, two-assist performance.

In winning their third straight game and improving to 3-0 all-time against Washington & Jefferson, the Gophers outshot the Presidents, 39-21.

Ryan Kirby was solid in goal for Washington & Jefferson, turning away 15 shots. Connor Mishaw (Wilmington, Del./Brandywine) was credited with six saves for Goucher.