KINGS POINT, N.Y. - Austin Main made saves on 16 of the 34 shots he faced today in leading Goucher to a 7-5 victory over Merchant Marine in the first Landmark Conference game for both teams.

An unassisted goal by Alex Boucher put Goucher ahead 3-2 with 2:58 remaining in the second period, but that was still enough time for the Gophers (5-2, 1-0 Landmark) to put two more goals on the scoreboard before the end of the first half. An unassisted goal by Jake Fratella with 2:38 left to play bumped Goucher's lead up to 4-2 and then Fratella picked up an assist on a goal by Sam Fitzpatrick with just :21 showing on the clock.

An extra-man goal by Robert Atkinson and an even-strength goal by Brennan Dougherty allowed the Mariners (3-4, 0-1 Landmark) to close to within 5-4 after three periods, but Brian Hoge restored Goucher's lead back to three goals when he tallied a pair of unassisted goals just :32 apart midway through the fourth quarter.

The Mariners, who were picked to win the inaugural Landmark Conference title in a preseason poll of coaches and sports information directors, finished with a 34-25 edge in shots. Main's save percentage rose to .701 with his performance in goal for the Gophers today.

This was only the fourth all-time meeting between Goucher and Merchant Marine in the sport of men's lacrosse and the first since 1996. The Gophers lead the all-time series, 3-1.

2008-03-22