Late Goal Ends Goucher's 2nd-Half Push at Scranton

SCRANTON, Pa. — Goucher hit the road this afternoon for a matchup against a Scranton team which has won four Landmark championships and was unbeaten in 33 straight conference tilts, postseason included.

Despite that pedigree, the Gophers hung with the Royals throughout, trailing by just a single goal before a late insurance strike gave Scranton a 2-0 victory.

Lexi Rudolph (Kensington, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel) made a career-high nine saves in goal to help keep things close for Goucher (3-9-1, 0-3 Landmark). Kelsey Bacon had the initial goal for the Royals (6-5-2, 2-0-1 Landmark) while the insurance tally came on a Gopher own goal.

"Scranton has won this conference multiple times and they are a good team," head coach Tati Korba said. "We fought hard today and really took it to them in the second half but were unable to finish on our chances."

Bacon's goal came 12 minutes prior to the intermission, and it was one of eight shots fired off by Scranton against one shot by Lindsey Puopolo (Glen Arm, Md./St. Timothy's) for Goucher.

After Kellly Egan hit the crossbar for the Royals in the 56th minute, the Gophers generated a pair of shot attempts within two minutes of each other. Both efforts, however, from Brianna Hite (Port Republic, Md./Calvert) and Puopolo were sent wide.

Stephanie Budrock (Clark, N.J./Arthur L. Johnson) also managed a pair of shots, the second of which required a save out of goalkeeper Krissy Welsh in the 77th minute.

The Royals' second goal came with 5:34 left, and Goucher was unable to force a save out of Welsh in the remaining time.

"We sent a lot of people forward towards the end, and they were able to slip one in late," Korba said. "We can still accomplish our goals this season. This team is coming together."

The Gophers get another chance within Landmark competition this Wednesday when they host Catholic at 7 p.m. from Beldon Field. The Cardinals currently sit atop the conference standings with nine points after a 4-0 victory over Drew today.