Gophers Blank Rosemont to Begin Three-Game Homestand

TOWSON, Md. – The Goucher men's soccer team kicked off a stretch of three home games in five days with a commanding 3-0 victory over Rosemont in the Blue Jay Invitational. A first-half own goal got the Gophers on the board, while second-half markers from Nate Margolis and Kevin Tonkovich put the game away.

Goucher (3-1) has recorded shutouts all three of its victories this year, and the Gophers have now blanked Rosemont (1-2) in each of the last two seasons.

The Ravens started the game strong, generating the first five shots of the contest in the opening 12 minutes and totaling an 8-5 advantage in the first half overall. It was Goucher, however, which managed the only goal before the intermission. Margolis fired a 20th-minute cross into the penalty area, and a Rosemont defender directed the ball past goalie Max McDonald.

There was a lengthy delay in the opening minutes of the second half, as goalie Ethan DeBandi was forced to leave with an apparent back injury. He was replaced by Nicholas Stolarz, who made one save in his Goucher debut.

Shortly after the injury, Tonkovich was released on a breakaway, with McDonald fouling the freshman in the box in an attempt to stop the scoring chance. McDonald was given a red card for the last-man foul, and Margolis converted from the penalty spot to double the Gophers' lead in the 56th minute. The junior from Ivyland, Pa., now has three goals this season, all of which have come on penalty kicks.

With the Ravens forced to play with 10 men for the duration of the match, Goucher immediately took advantage of the player disparity. Margolis sent a 63rd-minute cross towards Tonkovich in the box, and the Lacey, N.J., native fired a shot past new goalie Austin Molocznik for his first collegiate goal to close out the scoring.

For the game, Rosemont held a 12-9 edge in shots, though seven of Goucher's nine attempts were on target. Tonkovich led the way with three shots, while Margolis had two. Prior to leaving the game, DeBandi made two saves to register his third win.

The Gophers return to action at Beldon Field tomorrow afternoon against New Jersey City. The match is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m.