HOUGHTON, NY—Jesse Toth (Victor, NY, Victor) finished a penalty kick with 48 seconds remaining in double overtime to lift the Houghton men's soccer team past the St. John Fisher Cardinals 1-0 on Saturday afternoon.
 
The win puts the Highlanders at 5-3-2 on the season, 2-0-1 in Empire 8 conference play, while the Cardinals fall to 0-10, 0-3 in the Empire 8.
 
With less than a minute to play in the second overtime period the Highlanders played a lofted ball in to the box from the right wing.  Forward Jordan Mullen (Fillmore, NY, Fillmore) and Cardinals defender Cesar Gabriel challenged for the ball, resulting in a Gabriel injury and a handball call, which gave the Highlanders a penalty kick.
 
Fisher keeper Joseph Catalfamo guessed correctly and dove to his left, getting his fingers on the ball, but the shot had enough pace to find the net, giving Houghton the win.
 
From the outset, the Highlanders controlled the pace of play, but a slick field and a stingy Cardinals defense kept the ball out of the net.  Balls that typically find feet were a step out of range, and touches that are normally settled went awry. 
 
"That was a big win for us," commented Houghton coach Matthew Webb.  "St. John Fisher played tough.  They're a better team than their record shows.  It felt a little bittersweet to win that way at the end, but I'm happy for the three points."
 
Highlander goalkeeper Jacob Dunnett (Quispamsis, New Brunswick, Kennebecasis) earned his third consecutive shutout, collecting two saves.
 
Houghton next travels to SUNY Brockport on Tuesday to take on the Golden Eagles at 7:00 PM.