TOWSON, Md. -- Goucher turned a one-goal lead over Merchant Marine after 15:00 into a 10-3 advantage at the end of the third quarter and then the Gophers watched the Mariners rally for five goals in the final period before they could celebrate an 11-8 Landmark Conference victory this afternoon.

After a goal by Alex Boucher with :57 remaining in the first quarter snapped a 2-2 tie, the Gophers (6-2, 1-0 Landmark) outscored the Mariners, 6-1, in the second period. Sam Fitzpatrick scored three of the six goals and also picked up an assist on an extra-man goal by Brian Hoge.

Although the two team combined to take 17 shots in the third quarter, the only goal of the period was scored with 1:33 remaining by Rory Averett and it put the Gophers ahead 10-3 heading into the final 15:00.

The Mariners (3-3, 0-1 Landmark) tallied the first three goals of the fourth quarter, closing to within 10-6 on a goal by Robert De Pol with 9:00 remaining. Kyle Boncaro restored Goucher's lead to five goals when he tallied his team-leading 20th goal of the season with 5:01 left to play.

The Gophers, who are 2-0 against Merchant Marine since the formation of the Landmark Conference and 4-1 all-time, finished with a 33-26 edge in shots and came up with 16 more ground balls than the Mariners. Nick LaBricciosa handled all 23 faceoffs for Goucher and won 17 of them.

2009-03-21