Matthew-Parker Goal Propels Gophers Past Cardinals

TOWSON, Md. -- A 63rd minute blast from Katherine Matthew-Parker (New Orleans, La./St. Martin's Episcopal) lifted the Goucher women's soccer team to a much-needed 1-0 win over Catholic from a chilly Beldon Field tonight. The victory is the first in Landmark play this season for the Gophers, and it keeps them in the hunt for a spot in the conference tournament.

The win is Goucher's second over Catholic (9-7, 2-2 Landmark) in the last three seasons. Matthew-Parker's goal came after a Cardinal defender mishandled a long-distance kick to the top of the box. The ball went straight to the senior, who drilled an emphatic shot into the top corner for her second goal of the season, both of which have been game-winners.

Juliana Harkavy (Memphis, Tenn./Ridgeway) made four saves in goal to record her sixth clean sheet of the season. The shutout was her 12th as a Gopher, leaving her only two behind Kellen Matthews for the most in program history.

Goucher (5-9-1, 1-3 Landmark) controlled play for a majority of the first half, holding the Cardinals without a shot for the opening 40 minutes. Moriah Sipiczky (Holiday, Fla./Anclote) had the best scoring chance of the frame, but her effort right in front of goal was blocked away.

The Gophers continued to pressure Catholic after they gained the lead. Stephanie Budrock (Clark, N.J./Arthur L. Johnson) was inches away from doubling Goucher's advantage in the 77th minute, but her shot was cleared off the line in a last-gasp effort by the Cardinal defense.

Lindsey Aleman came closest to tying the score for Catholic, sending an 86th minute shot just wide of the post. Goucher would hold on from there to pick up the win.

For the match, the Cardinals held a 9-7 edge in shots. Budrock managed two shots to lead the Gopher attack.

Goucher looks to continue to gain ground in the Landmark standings this Saturday with a 1 p.m. matchup against Susquehanna (1-12-2, 0-5 Landmark). The match will also be the final home contest for seniors Matthew-Parker and Caroline McDowell (Alfred, N.Y./Alfred-Almond Central).