Gophers Take Down Defending Landmark Champions

Matthews Earns 14th Career Shutout with 11-Save Effort

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Kellen Matthews (Northboro, Mass./Algonquin Regional) demonstrated today why any conversation about the top goalkeepers in the history of Goucher's women's soccer program have to include her by turning in an 11-save performance in leading the Gophers to a 2-0 triumph over Catholic. The victory was their first over the Cardinals in seven years and it kept head coach Tati Korba's squad in contention for a berth in the Landmark Conference playoffs.

It wasn't until after an unassisted goal by sophomore forward Shay Kettner (Baltimore, Md./Perry Hall) at 11:22 provided the Gophers (3-8-2, 1-4 Landmark) with a 1-0 lead that Matthews made her first save in today's game. By halftime, Matthews' total was up to eight and the score remained 1-0 in Goucher's favor even though the Cardinals (6-7, 2-2 Landmark) enjoyed a healthy 18-2 advantage in shots over the first 45 minutes.

Kettner's goal, the result of a chip shot from just inside the box, was her team-leading eighth of the season and she's supplied the Gophers with at least one goal in five of their last six games.

Goucher picked up some insurance at 76:14 when sophomore forward Sarah Eaby (New Holland, Pa./Lancaster Country Day School) tallied an unassisted goal, changing the score to 2-0.

Down the stretch, the Cardinals, the defending Landmark Conference champions, had one shot hit the post and Matthews made plays on attempts by Mary McGann and Courtney Orgill to put the finishing touches on the 14th shutout of her four-year career. No goalie that played for Goucher before Matthews had ever recorded more than nine career shutouts.

"This is certainly the highlight so far of a season in which the results haven't been what we desired or expected," head coach Tati Korba said following the game. "To beat that team on their field at this point of a rather tough season is huge for our program. This was a great result and I think it's a testament to our resolve and our overall effort today."

Since a 2-0 win over Catholic on Oct. 26, 2003, the Gophers had lost seven consecutive times to the Cardinals.