Gophers Handle Falcons to Gain Split of Tri-Match

TOWSON, Md. — Goucher dropped a five-set match against Wesley when the Wolverines rallied to win the final two sets, but the Gophers followed that up with a 3-0 victory over Cedar Crest to come away from a tri-match today with a split.

The day began with the 17-25, 25-20, 25-20, 18-25, 10-15 loss to Wesley. In the two set the Gophers won, Kelly Budge (Harrington Park, N.J./Northern Valley Old Tappan) recorded eight kills and Hannah Kuehl (Plymouth, N.H./Plymouth Regional) added six.

Goucher also earned six points off service aces, with Erika DiPasquale (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) accounting for two of them.

The Wolverines (6-4) answered back, taking the fourth set and stealing the momentum. Goucher's five points in the fifth set were the result of three kills and a pair of service errors by their opponent.

Budge and Kuehl led the Gophers with 13 kills a piece in the first match. Sarah Johnson (Ridgewood, N.J./Ridgewood) tallied 40 assists in the loss.

Goucher put Cedar Crest away in quick order, winning 25-11, 25-11, 25-14. In the opening set, the Gophers earned 11 of their points on kills executed by five different players.

Eleven more kills and 11 errors by the Falcons (1-8) helped Goucher take the second set.

The Gophers (6-7) face Catholic in the Decker Sports & Recreation Center on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in their first Landmark Conference match of the season.