Gophers Defend Home Turf, Pin 10-2 Loss on Crusaders

Mishaw Ups Save Percentage in Landmark Games to .810

TOWSON, Md — Goucher must have appeared vulnerable to the rest of the Landmark Conference when the Gophers headed into their first conference contest against Washington & Jefferson on March 16 with a 1-6 record. Now, almost two weeks later, head coach Brian Kelly's squad is all alone at the top of the Landmark standings following a resounding 10-2 victory over Susquehanna on Beldon Field this afternoon.

Thanks to goals by Pierce Ingram (Austin, Texas/Westwood) and Steve Patterson (Minneapolis, Minn./Blake School), the Gophers (4-6, 3-0 Landmark) led 2-0 at the end of the first quarter.

Five different players accounted for the five goals Goucher tacked on during the second quarter on the way to a 7-0 advantage after 30 minutes. The scoring started with an unassisted goal by Ingram just 34 seconds into the period and then came goals by Owen Demmerly (Medford, N.J./Shawnee), Patterson, Sam Woodruff (Glen Ridge, N.J./Kent School) and Zachary Fratella (Wilmington, Del./Brandywine).

The only shutout the Gophers have managed in the history of the school's men's lacrosse program was against Susquehanna back in 2009, and it appeared the Crusaders (7-4, 2-1 Landmark) might be a victim again until John Kerrigan tallied an even-strength goal 2:24 into the third quarter. Woodruff restored Goucher's lead to seven goals when he stuck his second goal of the contest midway through the period.

The Gophers sandwiched goals by Will Brennan (Geneva, N.Y./Geneva) and Sam Morgan (Wilmot, N.H./Kearsarge Regional) around one by Greg Rabiecki of the Crusaders in the fourth quarter.

Connor Mishaw (Wilmington, Del./Brandywine) started in goal for Goucher, played into the fourth quarter and finished with 13 saves, raising his save percentage in the three Landmark games the Gophers have played so far this season to .810.

Tristan Morris (Houston, Texas/Houston Christian) won 12 of the 15 faceoffs he handled and picked up a team-high eight ground balls for the Gophers, while Andrew Foster (Ashland, Ohio/Western Reserve Academy), a freshman defenseman making just his third start of the season, was credited with four caused turnovers.

The win, which provided Goucher with a 7-0 lead in its series against Susuehanna, also boosted the Gophers' all-time record in Landmark Conference games to 29-3.