Blazers Pin 3-1 Season-Opening Setback on Gophers

FREDERICK, Md. — After falling behind 2-0 in the 72nd minute this afternoon, it took Goucher exactly five minutes to get right back in the game on a goal by sophomore midfielder Ryan Mathews (Pennington, N.J./Hopewell Valley Central). But Hood regained a two-goal advantage in the 82nd minute and came away with a 3-1 victory over the Gophers.

Scoring chances were few and far between throughout the first half of the first game of the season for both teams. Daniel Hendry (Lewisburg, Pa./Lewisburg), who started in goal for Goucher, made three saves to keep the Blazers (1-0) off the scoreboard until they were awarded a penalty kick at 41:13. Paul Windsor, who was fouled in the box, successfully converted the attempt and the opening period ended with Hood on top, 1-0.

Joe Benton extended the lead to 2-0 at 71:04 when he scored a goal that was set up by Juliano Pillari.

The Gophers (0-1) notched their lone goal at 76:04 when Mathews headed in a rebound of another header by teammate Ellis Martin (Verona, N.J./Verona).

An unassisted goal by Hood's Drew Demich at 81:21 closed out the scoring. Goucher came close to adding a second goal in the 88th minute, but the shot by freshman forward Konrad Bulanowski (Philadelphia, Pa./The Shipley School) banged off the crossbar.

The Gophers, who will welcome Rosemont to Beldon Field on Friday at 7 p.m., were outshot 17-6, but they finished with a 6-5 edge in corner kicks.