Goucher Scores another Late Winner in Shenandoah Showdown

WINCHESTER, VA. - The Gophers continued their impressive start to the 2016 season after winning 3-2 against Shenandoah University Saturday night in Winchester, VA. They improve their record to 4-1-2 rebounding from a tough loss last Wednesday. Goucher earned their first away win since October of last year on the strength of another late goal. After the win against Shenandoah, Goucher has scored in the 80^th minute or later in every game this season except for two.

            Expectations were high as the team hoped to keep their imposing form. Captain Ryan Belluch ’17 put the team ahead in the 9^th minute in spectacular fashion. Sliding down the right wing, beating his defender, and sending in an almost routine cross, Belluch was surprised when he saw the ball go into the net. “Yeah, I was disappointed. I thought it was a bad cross at first, but then it went in… I never get those goals,” Belluch commented after the game. 

            Almost 10 minutes before halftime, the team was stunned when Shenandoah’s Tylor Strozeski scored from an assisted pass from Nick Strait. Goucher’s defense failed to win a challenge that unfortunately did not roll their way.

            At halftime, the Gophers were disappointed to give up their early goal lead. Head Coach Bryan Laut commented that the team lacked energy and were punished for it. Motivated, the team came out in the second half with pace, vigor, and intensity. Goucher pressed Shenandoah in the back which allowed Brandon Cohen ’20 to strip the ball, dribble past the defense, and coolly score in the 52^nd minute. Cohen leads the team with 5 goals, the most in Goucher history since 2013.

            The team seemed to be dominating the game, but conceded a goal in the 62^nd minute. After giving up a foul in Goucher’s defensive half, Shenandoah’s Thomas Delahaye tied the game 2-2. The host bench erupted after the goal, while the visiting Gophers were left exasperated.

            Determined to win, the Gophers played faster and controlled much of the game. After winning the ball in the back, Goucher found Cohen who delivered a key pass to Drew Phillips ’18. In the 82^nd minute, Phillips took the pass and curled the ball to the back post to put the Gophers back in the lead one final time. The team held on for the remaining 8 minutes to win to ensure it first road win of the season.

            After the game, Captain Evan Phillips ’17 said, “It wasn’t the prettiest game of the season, but we got a good result… I think we can be a competitive team; we just have to keep working hard every day.”

Goucher improves its record to 4-1-2 on the season and continues on the road against McDaniel on Wednesday at 4pm.