FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  The Monarchs opened the season at Monarch Stadium with an 8-7 win over the visiting Gophers of Goucher College in non-conference action this afternoon.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final score: Methodist def. Goucher, 8-7
Records: Methodist 1-0; Goucher 0-1
Location: Monarch Stadium; Fayetteville, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED.

• Hunter Vaughan opened the game early with the Monarchs first goal after Carter Farveau found him cutting across the middle for a quick snap to the back of the net. An unstoppable early first quarter for Methodist allowed for the team to score three straight goals before Goucher added one.
• Before the half, Goucher tied the game at four all and took the lead 5-4 early in the third quarter. The Monarchs answered, never falling behind by more than one goal, tied the game for a third time after a goal from Matt Pemberton with an assist by Jake Bandler.
• The fourth quarter's lone goal was scored by Tyler Bennett and was just enough to give Methodist the win over Goucher. The Monarchs were able to hold the Gophers to just one goal in the final minutes of play and would start the season 1-0 overall.

MORE NUMBERS.

• Vaughan finished with a game high four goals, tying his previous goals scored in a single game in 2021. Pemberton finished with one goal and one assist and Jesse Lyble, Ryan Kavounis and Bennet also added one goal.
• Bennett had a team-high nine ground balls and won 7-of-10 face offs. Leyble recovered five ground balls.
• Cameron Brink finished the game with 11 saves, earning his first win as goalie for the season.
• Goucher outshot Methodist, 35-26, but the Monarchs were able to convert on one more goal than the Gophers.

UP NEXT
Methodist will travel to Greensboro, N.C. to play Guildford College in a non-conference game on Tuesday, February 22 at 5 p.m.