Lions Rally Late, Finish Off Gophers in Overtime

READING, Pa. — Albright canceled out an opening goal from Goucher with less than 10 minutes to play in regulation, and the Lions completed their comeback with a game-winning strike from Karis Pennington less than five minutes into overtime to seal a 2-1 victory.

Brianna Hite (Port Republic, Md./Calvert) gave the Gophers (2-3-1) a second half advantage with an unassisted tally in the 52nd minute. The goal, her second of the season, came after a scoreless first half in which Goucher held a 5-3 edge in shots. She beat Lion goalkeeper Jaymee Stepp to a ball sent into the box by Lindsey Puopolo (Glen Arm, Md./St. Timothy's) and fired a shot into the open net.

Hite had another scoring opportunity just over a minute later, but this time Stepp was able to make the save.

Colleen McCawley (Horsham, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham) also had a chance to double the Gophers' advantage, but her 76th minute effort rang off the post.

Albright (3-3) had nine shots in the final 45 minutes, and the last of those attempts beat Goucher keeper Liz Stradtman (Westminster, Md./Winters Mill). Emily Sousa directed in the tying goal for the Lions with 9:35 remaining.

Neither team managed another shot until Pennington ended things in the 95th minute. She headed in a cross from Morgan Valera to send Goucher to its third loss of the season.

Albright ended the match with a slim 13-12 lead in shots, as well as an 8-3 advantage on corner kicks. Lindsey Puopolo had a team-high four shots, while Stradtman made five saves in her first career start in goal.

The Gophers return to action at 12:30 p.m. Saturday with a road matchup at York (Pa.).