HOUGHTON, N.Y. – Despite a strong second-half performance, Houghton field hockey was unable to overcome a 1-0 halftime deficit and ultimately dropped a 2-0 decision to Ithaca at Burke Field on Saturday.

The Bombers (10-3; 6-1 E8) put on the pressure early and earned a penalty stroke attempt with just over two minutes gone. But Cassie Schuttrumpf put her shot just wide to the left to keep the contest scoreless. Over the next 12 minutes, the Bombers claimed six penalty corners and seven shots with the seventh attempt on goal finding the back of the net. Schuttrumpf was credited with the goal.

The Highlander defense tightened over the remaining minutes of the first half. While the Bombers earned four more penalty corners, they were held to just two shots over the final 21 minutes of the opening period.

After the Bombers recorded two shots and a penalty corner in the first three minutes of the second half, the teams would take the battle to the midfield. Neither side would get any opportunities in the opponent's end for the next 15 minutes. Houghton ended the "shot-less" span with a shot and two penalty corners, but it was the Bombers who got the next goal, going up 2-0 on a tally from Colleen Keegan-Twombly in the 59^th minute.

Houghton was able to find space in the attack as the clock ticked down but none of their final three shots could get past the Bombers keeper.

Shots were Ithaca's advantage, 17-6, on the afternoon, although the margin was just 6-4 in the second half. The Bombers also had a 12-4 edge in penalty corners.

Houghton keeper Elizabeth Piszker (Glens Mills, PA, Cardinal O'Hara) stopped eight shots.

Houghton (7-6; 2-4 E8) returns to action Wednesday, Oct. 21 when they travel to take on the Geneseo Knights.