Gophers Snare Spot in Playoffs Despite 0-2 Weekend

Johnson Delivers 44 Assists in Four-Set Match vs. Crusaders

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — With the way things played out in the Landmark Conference on Saturday, two things were certain when it came to Goucher: the Gophers were guaranteed a spot in the conference's postseason tournament for a fifth consecutive year and head coach Michael Bossom's squad couldn't improve its positioning even if it could knock off six-time defending champion Juniata today.

The Gophers extended Susquehanna to four sets on Saturday before suffering a 3-1 setback. They also bowed to the Eagles today, 3-0.

Goucher had just as many kills (45) as Susquehanna in Saturday's match, but the Gophers committed 17 more hitting errors than the Crusaders, who prevailed 25-20, 26-24, 19-25, 25-12. Megan Chalk (Severna Park, Md./Severna Park) delivered 18 of the kills and also finished with 14 digs, one block and a service ace; Sarah Johnson (Ridgewood, N.J./Ridgewood) was credited with 44 assists, 17 digs and an ace.

Emily Carson supplied the Crusaders (13-16, 2-3 Landmark) with 15 kills.

The Eagles (19-8, 6-0 Landmark), who clinched being the upcoming tournament's No. 1 seed with victories over Scranton and Catholic on Saturday, defeated Goucher 25-13, 25-14, 25-12.

As the No. 6 seed, the Gophers (7-21, 1-5 Landmark) will take on third-seeded Moravian in the quarterfinals on October 31 at 7 p.m. in Bethlehem, Pa.