Gophers Topple Green Terror for First Time Since 2009

TOWSON, Md. — Goucher cashed in on what was essentially its only scoring opportunity of the entire contest tonight and earned its first victory over McDaniel in the sport of men's soccer since 2009.

The Gophers prevailed 1-0 thanks to a goal in the 54th minute by junior midfielder Luis Gomes (Bushkill, Pa./East Stroudsburg North). That was the only one of their five shots they mustered that was on goal as two went wide, one sailed high and one was blocked out front before it became dangerous.

It was the third career goal for Gomes.

Nate Margolis (Ivyland, Pa./Council Rock North) set up the goal by beating his man to a second ball and playing a skip pass to Gomes, who slid the ball past the opposing goalkeeper. The assist was the 19th for the senior forward, which places him alone in third place among Goucher's all-time leaders in career assists.

The Green Terror (2-1) managed 10 shots, but couldn't get any of them past sophomore goalkeeper Nicholas Stolarz (Clark, N.J./Arthur L. Johnson). Stolarz finished with seven saves to earn his second shutout of the season and lower his goals-against average to 1.00.

"This was a very satisfying win," fifth-year head coach Bryan Laut said moments after the contest ended. "We didn't come out and play the way we wanted to or I expected to, and McDaniel gets a lot of credit for that. But we kept battling and eventually we were rewarded for the effort we put in."

After playing their first three games of the season at home on Beldon Field, the Gophers (2-1) will travel for the first time when they venture to Langhorne, Pa., on Saturday to take on Cairn at 3 p.m.