Greyhounds Come From Behind to Take Down Gophers

Puopolo's Early Goal Doesn't Hold Up as Greyhounds Rally

TOWSON, Md. — The Gophers needed a win to make the Landmark Conference playoffs or a tie to stay in the hunt, but a late surge by the Greyhounds dashed any postseason hopes.

With Drew defeating Juniata today, Goucher (11-4-1, 2-4 Landmark) controlled its own destiny to earn its first ever spot in the Landmark Conference tournament. A draw with Moravian (8-7-1, 3-2 Landmark) would force the Gophers to wait until next Saturday to learn their fate.

Things got off on the right foot for the home squad when Staci Tomasetti (Elmsford, N.Y./Pleasantville) drilled the ball out of the defensive zone over the high back line of Moravian, putting Lindsey Puopolo (Glen Arm, Md./St. Timothy's) through and alone with the keeper. The sophomore carried the ball into the box and slid a right-footed shot under the sprawling Genevieve Chaleff to put the Gophers on top.

The score remained 1-0 for over 25 minutes before Kirsten Schall scored her first of two goals, beating her defender with a quick change of direction near the corner of the six, shooting far post to level the game.

Schall put the Greyhounds ahead for good when she took a pass from Caroline Clark in the middle of the box and put it home. The opportunity came off of a loose ball which drew goalkeeper Lexi Rudolph (Kensington, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel) off her line. Rudolph, who made six saves on the day, could not get to Clark in time giving Schall an open look.

Goucher had plenty of opportunities to score, but could only Puopolo could find the back of the net.

Early on, Gaby Davis (New York, N.Y./LaGuardia) hit the crossbar in the second minute off of a free kick. Her long strike from just inside midfield lofted just over the jumping Chaleff, but hit the underside of the bar, bouncing back into play.

After Moravian drew level, Davis created another opportunity on a free kick, finding the head of Sarah Eaby (New Holland, Pa./Lancaster Country Day School), whose attempt just went high.

Puopolo had a chance to send the game to overtime with a rip from about 10 yards out, but Chaleff was up to the task, making a tremendous kick save to preserve the victory.

Despite being eliminated from postseason competition, Goucher still has the opportunity to become the winningest team in program history, with 11 wins and two games remaining. The current record belongs to the 1994 team which finished 12-3-2.