Gophers Blank Captains for Two Periods in 6-2 Win

Three Starting Defensemen Combine for 13 Caused Turnovers

TOWSON, Md. -- Goucher wasn't able to cash in on any of its nine shots in the first quarter of this afternoon's game against Christopher Newport.

Two things kept that from being fatal to the Gophers. One was that they limited their opponent to four shots and one goal in the opening period, so they trailed only 1-0 after 15 minutes. The other was that the Captains were shut out in both the second and third quarters.

While Christopher Newport was stuck in its scoring drought, Goucher didn't suddenly erupt on offense, but the Gophers did tally three unanswered goals in the second period and added another in the third on the way to a 6-2 triumph over the Captains.

An extra-man goal by Aaron Chrzaszcz accounted for all of the scoring in the first quarter, but the Gophers (5-7) drew even on an even-strength goal by Steve Patterson (Minneapolis, Minn./Blake School) 1:02 into the second period.

Mike Russo (Frederick, Md./St. John's Catholic Prep) and Max Roach (Austin, Texas/Austin) added goals in the second quarter as the Gophers were up 3-1 when time expired in the first half.

Just two seconds after killing off a minute penalty for slashing that was assessed at the beginning of the third period, the Gophers bumped their lead up to 4-1 on a goal by Patterson that was set up by Zachary Fratella (Wilmington, Del./Brandywine).

Fratella opened the scoring in the fourth quarter with an unassisted goal to put Goucher ahead 5-1, but midway through the period, Will Geise supplied the Captains (5-8) with their first goal in more than 39 minutes. The game's final goal belonged to Patterson and was his third of the contest and 15th of the season.

The Gophers unleashed 45 shots in the victory, their first over a non-conference opponent at home this season. The Captains were held to five or fewer shots in each period and a total of 17 for the game.

Gouher's three starting defensemen forced 13 turnovers by Christopher Newport: Bryce Carson (Wyomissing, Pa./Lancaster Country Day School) was credited with six caused turnovers, Andrew Foster (Ashland, Ohio/Western Reserve Academy) with four and Nathan Cain (Wilmette, Ill./Western Reserve Academy) with three.

Connor Mishaw (Wilmington, Del./Brandywine) was the starting goalkeeper for the Gophers for the 49th consecutive game and responded by making 11 saves.