UTICA, NY—Jessica Beattie (Maitland, Ontario, St. Mary's) scored two goals and Darlene Eckhardt (Eden, NY, Eden) added the third as the Houghton women's soccer team (7-5-2, 2-2-2 Empire 8) won their third game in a row, 3-0 over the Utica College Pioneers (3-10-2, 1-5 Empire 8).
 
The Highlanders win, coupled with a Hartwick College loss to Ithaca College, moves them into a fourth place tie with Hartwick in the conference standings.
 
Beattie put the Highlanders on the board early when she received a pass from Abigail Schmidt (Holland, NY, Holland Central) inside the box in the fourth minute, and buried a shot from 15 yards out.
 
Houghton controlled the pace of play throughout, but in the 17^th minute a Highlander red card put the team at a player disadvantage.
 
While many teams would hunker down in their defensive third to protect the one-goal lead, Houghton responded by increasing their possession and subbing often, as Coach David Lewis is apt to do.
 
The strategy paid off, as the Highlanders continued to create offensive opportunities, scoring again in the 31^st minute.  Jennifer Zacchigna (East Aurora, NY, East Aurora) centered a ball from the left side to a wide open Eckhardt who redirected the ball from only four yards out for her second goal of the season.
 
Houghton finished the scoring for the day less than seven minutes into the second half.  Bailey Shattell (Syracuse, NY, Faith Heritage) found Beattie, who beat a defender to get into the box then crushed a shot into the upper left netting.
 
Despite being down a player for nearly 74 minutes, the Highlanders outshot the Pioneers 23-8, including a 16-6 shot advantage following the red card.
 
Houghton goalkeeper Shawna Sprout (Portville, NY, Portville Central) earned her third consecutive (seventh overall) shutout of the season, collecting four saves on the day.
 
The women next travel to Alfred State College for a non-conference matchup on Thursday, October 22 at 6:00 p.m.