Crusaders Gain High Yield on Shots, Top Gophers

READING, Pa. — Goucher trailed Alvernia, 3-nil, after 45 minutes and it didn't get any better in the second half for the Gophers as they were beaten by the Crusaders, 5-nil, this afternoon.

Nick Bombard provided the home team with a 1-nil lead just 9:25 into the contest when he tapped in a pass from Metuge Esong. Alvernia's second goal was scored by Esong, assisted by Jay Ringer, at 12:00; the third goal at 32:08 came from Adam Orndorff, unassisted.

Bombard struck again at 46:11 to put the Crusaders (5-2-4) ahead 4-0 and Nick Tait closed out the scoring with his third goal of the season at 70:32.

It took Alvernia only 10 shots — nine of which were on goal — to score more than four goals in a game for the first time all season.

The Gophers (3-6-1) managed only five shots and were shut out for the fourth time in 2015. Their best scoring opportunities were all in the second half: a header by Andrew Marcantonio (Philadelphia, Pa./Chestnut Hill Academy) in the 65th minute, a shot by Tate Becker (San Diego, Calif./Scripps Ranch) that was saved by Zach Rider in the 73rd minute and a shot by Konrad Bulanowski (Philadelphia, Pa./The Shipley School) in the 78th minute that struck the post.

Goucher will play a pair of Landmark Conference games in the week ahead, starting with one in the nation's capital against Catholic at 4 p.m. Wednesday.