HOUGHTON, NY – Sarah Gabriele's (Mahwah, NJ, Eastern Christian) two goals in the first half would be all the Houghton Highlanders would need as they picked up a much-needed conference victory over the Elmira Soaring Eagles, 2-0 in women's soccer action on Burke Field.
 
The win draws the Highlanders back to .500 at 5-5-2 overall and 1-2-2 in the Empire 8 conference, while the Soaring Eagles fall to 2-9, 2-3 in the Empire 8.
 
Houghton posted 30 total shots on the night, but some impressive goalkeeping by Elmira's Gabe Carmona limited the Highlanders goalscoring.
 
"We were able to string some passes together and create opportunities," commented Houghton coach David Lewis.  "I would have loved to score more goals, but their keeper played very well tonight."
 
The Highlanders opened the game with a flourish and tried to keep the pressure high throughout the night.  "We emphasized the need for a higher intensity early," said Lewis.  "It's something we definitely talked about before the game."
 
Houghton opened the scoring only 7:19 into the game when Jessica Beattie (Maitland, Ontario, St. Mary's) beat her defender then slid the ball between two more, finding Gabriele inside the box, who beat the keeper for her third goal of the season.
 
Gabriele collected her second goal of the night with just under three minutes remaining in the half when Alexis Lamb (Newark Valley, NY, Home School) played a long, angled ball over the back of the defense where Gabriele collected the pass and again beat the keeper with a far post shot.
 
Houghton goalkeeper Shawna Sprout (Portville, NY, Portville Central) posted four saves en route to her fifth shutout of the season, though none of the shots came from within 20 yards.
 
The Highlanders will play again on Thursday, October 15 when they travel to SUNY Canton to take on the Kangaroos at 5:00 p.m.