Gophers Jump Out 2-0, Never Surrender Lead to Lions

First-Year GKs Combine to Make Eight Saves in 2-1 Win

TOWSON, Md. — After goals by sophomore midfielder Manuel Carranza (Silver Spring, Md./Wheaton) and senior defender Elijah Lais (Grantsville, Md./Northern Garrett) provided Goucher with a quick 2-0 lead over visiting Albright this afternoon, the Gophers held the Lions to a single goal over the final 86:47 to come away with a well-earned 2-1 non-conference victory.

Senior midfielder Jay Berger (Manalapan, N.J./Manalapan) set up Carranza's goal with a through ball that created a 2-on-1 for the Gophers. Senior forward Andrew Bull (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks West) passed the ball to a wide-open Carranza, who was able to slide it in at 1:12 for his first goal of the season.

Bull was also awarded an assist on the goal by Lais at 3:13 that put the Gophers (4-5) up 2-0. Lais, who was coming off a three-goal performance Monday night against Lancaster Bible,  took Bull's short pass and lofted a floating shot that eluded the goalkeeper and settled in the net for his team-leading eighth goal of the season.

The Lions (5-3) finished with a 24-12 advantage in shots, but had an answer for only one of Goucher's two goals. At 53:51 of the second half, Shawn Murphy knocked in a short crossing pass from Tyler Waters, reducing the Gophers' lead to 2-1.

Freshman David Spivey (Brooklandville, Md./Park School) started in goal for Goucher and made four saves before being injured in the 26th minute, at which point he was replaced by freshman Joe Kon (Powell, Ohio/Olentangy Liberty). Kon stopped an additional four shots during his tenure in the net, which lasted 64:07.