Baltimore, MD - The Highlanders' hot start was not enough to keep Goucher College (1-0,
Landmark) at bay, as the Gophers defeated the Highlanders (0-1, United East) in the season
opener, 3-2.

Only 57 seconds into the season, sophomore forward Elijah Ejiofor (Toulouse, France /
Northampton Community College) netted his first goal of the season, giving Cairn an early 1-0
lead. Another early opportunity presented itself in the second minute, but the Cairn corner kick
to extend the lead was unsuccessful. Goucher's first try on goal did not come until the 15th
minute when the Gophers sailed the try over the top. Stout defense by the Highlanders
continued for the ensuing 18 minutes, as three Goucher corner kicks and one shot attempt were
unsuccessful, until the Gophers knotted the game up 1-1 in the 33rd minute of the first period.
One minute later (34'), Cairn goalkeeper Xander Jakeway (Lancaster, CA / Quartz Hill) saved a
shot on goal to keep the game tied at 1. Cairn got on the offensive again, as senior defender
Toby Smith's (Attleboro, MA / Attleboro) shot bounced off the crossbar (38'). Both teams went
without a shot attempt or corner kick the rest of the period, heading into half tied 1-1.
An early second period save (47') by senior keeper Jakeway and another unsuccessful Goucher
corner (47') could not be capitalized on by the Highlanders, as sophomore midfielder Nathan
Babyak's (Albertville, France / Mechanicsburg) shot went wide in the 52nd minute. A goal in the
55th minute would give Goucher a 2-1 lead.

Trailing 2-1, Ejiofor had two shots miss wide (58', 62') and an unsuccessful Cairn corner kick
(62') were the few opportunities the Highlanders had to tie the game back up. A Gopher goal in
the 70th minute gave Goucher a 3-1 lead, but a yellow card put Cairn in prime position to mount
a comeback. In the 76th minute, sophomore forward Zane Wheeler capitalized on the Goucher
penalty with his second career goal, placing the game back within Highlander reach, trailing 3-2.
In the final 14 minutes, two Highlander shot attempts missed wide, ending the hopes of a
comeback in a 3-2 defeat. The physicality of the match is displayed in the box score, as
Goucher committed 22 fouls to Cairn's 7. The Gophers out shot the Highlanders 14-8, and Cairn
had 4 saves to Goucher's 0.

The Highlanders return to the Stillman Athletic Complex for their 2026 home opener under the
lights this Friday, September 4, at 7pm against Arcadia University.