Gophers Turn Back Previously Undefeated Cyclones, 24-13

Goucher's Fourth Consecutive Victory on Beldon Field

TOWSON, Md. — Goucher wasn't able to completely shut down the second-highest scoring team in Division III, but by holding Centenary to 13 goals this afternoon on Beldon Field, the Gophers still managed to extend their winning streak at home to four games.

With five different players contributing at least three goals to the victory, the Gophers pinned a 24-13 setback on the previously undefeated Cyclones.

The Gophers (4-6) went ahead for good when Mary Lambert (Chapel Hill, N.C./Chapel Hill) stuck a free-position shot just 6:28 into the contest to snap a 2-2 tie. On four different occasions during the first half, they opened up a four-goal advantage, but the Cyclones (7-1) battled back to close to within 9-8 on an unassisted goal by Rebecca Balfour with 7:04 remaining before halftime.

By the end of the period, however, Goucher had regained its four-goal cushion (12-8) thanks to a pair of goals by Hannah Khin (Portsmouth, N.H./Portsmouth) and one by Anneke Ossorio (Lafayette, Colo./Kent Denver School).

Before the second period was even nine minutes old, the Gophers had already added seven goals to their total and had assumed a 19-10 lead.

Khin accounted for seven of Goucher's goals, while Becca Smith (Leesburg, Va./Heritage) chipped in with five goals and Erin Reifsnyder (Austin, Texas/St. Andrews Episcopal), Lambert and Ossorio tallied three apiece.

Centenary, which came in ranked second behind Plymouth St. in scoring offense in Division III at 19.0 goals per game, picked up five goals from Meredith Bruce and four from Balfour.

The Gophers, who scored 10 of their goals off of free-position shots, finished with a 40-28 edge in shots. They also won the battle for ground balls, 23-19, and controlled 22 draws compared with 17 for the Cyclones.