No. 19 Gophers Improve to 6-0 All-Time vs. Crusaders

Averett Extends Goal-Scoring Streak to 31 Games

SELINSGROVE, Pa. — Goucher outscored Susquehanna, 5-1, in the second quarter and that four-goal difference proved to be the final margin of victory as the Gophers defeated the Crusaders, 9-5, in a Landmark Conference game played this afternoon on Sassafras Field.

The Gophers, who made their debut in the USILA Division III national rankings at No. 19 just five days ago, nearly got out of the first quarter with a 2-1 lead thanks to goals by Steve Patterson (Minneapolis, Minn./Blake School) and Pierce Ingram (Austin, Texas/Westwood), but an extra-man goal by Billy Spack of the Crusaders with :13 remaining in the period created a 2-2 tie.

A pair of unassisted goals by Zachary Fratella (Wilmington, Del./Brandywine) in the first 4:31 of the second quarter provided Goucher with a 4-2 lead that was reduced to 4-3 when Susquehanna responded with a goal by Austen Lein with 9:44 left to play in the first half. The Gophers (10-1, 3-0 Landmark) went back up by two on an extra-man goal by Ingram midway through the period, by three on an even-strength goal by Kyle Boncaro (Geneva, N.Y./Geneva) and then by four on a man-up goal by Sam Morgan (Wilmot, N.H./Kearsarge Regional) with 1:27 remaining before halftime.

The only goal the Gophers put on the scoreboard in the third quarter was during an extra-man opportunity for the Crusaders (5-6, 1-2 Landmark). The man-down goal with 2:16 remaining in the period was scored by Rory Averett (Ivyland, Pa./Council Rock North), extending the senior attackman's streak to 31 consecutive games with at least one goal.

Goucher entered the fourth quarter up 8-5 and Boncaro accounted for the only goal of the period. The senior attackman's unassisted goal with 8:26 left to play was his 31st of the season.

The Gophers, who finished with a 39-20 edge in shots, improved to 6-0 all-time against the Crusaders.