Gophers Prevail Thanks to Successful PK in OT

HUNTINGDON, Pa. — For a team that hasn't gotten its share of good breaks this season, it had to seem like the soccer gods were pulling for head coach Tati Korba's squad today.

Goucher was outshot, 17-5, during regulation, but still found itself locked in a scoreless tie with Juniata after 90 minutes. The Gophers were mounting some offensive pressure in overtime when a shot that Gaby Davis (New York, N.Y./LaGuardia) launched from about 25 yards out was slapped down by a field player inside the box.

A whistle was blown. A foul was called. A penalty kick was awarded.

Davis took the attempt at 94:01, drilling it into the side of the net. The successful conversion lifted the Gophers to a 1-0 (OT) triumph over the Eagles, who would have tied Moravian for fourth place in the Landmark Conference had they prevailed.

"We have had a tough season where not a lot of things have bounced our way," Korba commented after the game. "A team with less character would have quit weeks ago, and we are so proud of the fight and mentality of this group. Today was a great result against a good Juniata team that we needed and deserved."

All nine shots that were taken in the first half of today's contest belonged to the Eagles (5-9-2, 1-4-1 Landmark), but the period concluded with the two teams still locked in a scoreless tie because Lexi Rudolph (Kensington, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel), who was making her 10th start of the season in goal for the Gophers, made five saves.

Rudolph made three more saves in the second half, as did her counterpart in goal, Kerry Leonard. Shot totals during the 45-minute period were five for Goucher and eight for Juniata.

The Gophers (4-11-1, 1-5 Landmark), who have now defeated the Eagles in three of their past four encounters, got off the only two shots during overtime.

Goucher wraps up its 2014 campaign and will recognize the four seniors on the roster when it welcomes Susquehanna to Beldon Field on Saturday, Nov. 1. Starting time for the Landmark Conference contest is 1 p.m.