TOWSON, Md. — The Catholic University women's soccer team picked up a big road victory over Goucher on Tuesday night.

Catholic were dominant throughout and were rightful winners based on the balance of play but it did take most of the first half for the Cardinals to breakdown their opponents. 

After early efforts from Isabel Doherty and Jordan Siok were saved by the Gopher goalkeeper, Goucher settled into the game a bit. Catholic registered five shots in the opening 13 minutes before a spell of 25 minutes in which neither team fired any strikes toward either goal.

The breakthrough came for Catholic in the 38th minute via a moment of individual brilliance.

Teighan Boyle sent a long free kick forward that was only partially cleared by the Gophers. After a Goucher defender knocked it down, Isabella DeAvila took one touch before unleashing an absolute firecracker of a strike that flew into the roof of the net from well outside the penalty area.

The tally marks DeAvila's first in nearly 13 months as the junior has worked tirelessly to return from an injury. She last scored on Sept. 21, 2022 in a 2-2 draw against St. Mary's.

The Cardinals took the one-goal lead to the interval but their motivation to extend their advantage showed quickly.

Casey Sommers' doubled its lead six minutes into the second stanza. The now-two-time defending Landmark Conference Offensive Athlete of the Week could only be held quiet for so long.

Catholic produced a stunning set-piece routine to double its advantage. Sam Cesario fired a low ball from a corner on the right that rolled all the way beyond the penalty area where Lauren Cerda unleashed a powerful shot-cross low to the back post. As two Goucher players remained on the posts, Siok, who initially went short for the corner, arrived at the back post to power home a left-footed strike.

Siok struck again just five minutes later. She intercepted a wayward pass in the midfield, dancing the ball onto her right foot before unleashing a beautiful curling shot from the "D" that nestled in the far corner.

Siok is in blistering form, having scored eight goals in her previous four matches. The senior has netted two braces and one hat trick in that time.

Cesario, Boyle and the entire backline in front of Ava Rieger helped the Cardinals to their eighth clean sheet on the season, meaning that Catholic has kept a clean sheet in more than half of its matches this season.

Now at 4-1-2 in conference play, the Cardinals remained in a three-way battle at the top of the conference table with Scranton and Drew. With the Rangers knocking off the Royals 3-2 on in a simultaneous kickoff with this match, Catholic remains third despite the victory.

Sommers' team will look to continue the momentum from what is now a five game unbeaten run when it travels to Wilkes on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m.