This Friday, November 6 the Houghton College Highlanders square off against the Stevens Institute of Technology Ducks in the semifinal round of the Empire 8 conference tournament at 7:00 p.m. at Stevens' home field in Hoboken, N.J.
 
The Highlanders (10-5-2, 4-2-2 Empire 8) are the #4 seed in the tournament.  The Ducks (14-3-1, 7-0-1 Empire 8)—who are currently ranked 13^th in the latest NCAA women's soccer standings—hold the #1 seed.
 
While Stevens has made the Empire 8 tournament every year since 2006, they have not won the conference title since they claimed their only championships, back-to-back, in 2010 and 2011.
 
Due to its provisional NCAA status, this year's tournament represents the first time that Houghton College has competed for a conference crown.  The Highlanders are, however, no stranger to post-season competition.  This season represents the 24th consecutive year that the women's team has earned a post-season berth.   
Included at the end of this article are some interesting facts about the Empire 8 tournament and participating teams, courtesy of the Empire 8 Conference.
 
Visit the Women's Soccer Tournament Site
 
Last Time They Met:
The Ducks defeated the Highlanders, 2-0, on September 19, 2015 at Stevens.  The Ducks dominated the first half, outshooting the Highlanders 10-2, picking up their first goal on a penalty kick by Carly Bean in the 17^th minute.
 
While the Highlanders evened much of the play in the second half, matching the Ducks shot-for-shot (6-6), Stevens posted a second goal when Olivia Butera headed home a corner kick in the 76^th minute.
 
By the Numbers/How They Match Up:
 

				Offense					Defense
Team	W	L	T	GF	Avg/G	Shots	SOG	Corners	GA	Avg/G	Shots	SOG	Corners	Shutouts
1. Stevens	14	3	1	70	3.889	388	217	106	18	1.000	173	100	62	3
4. Houghton	10	5	2	27	1.588	286	159	71	14	0.824	159	79	58	9

 
What to Expect:
Stevens is tough to play at Stevens.  Over the past five years they have an conference record of 17-2-1 at home.
 
They are a tough, aggressive team that works hard off the ball and knows how to attack, as evidenced by the fact that they nearly doubled the scoring output (70 goals this season) of the next closest team (Ithaca, 36 goals)
 
Houghton, however, has become a much stronger team in the seven weeks since the two teams last met.  The Highlanders have won six matches in a row, five by shutout, and have allowed the fewest shots and shots-on-goal in the conference. 
 
"We're playing a much better style of soccer right now," commented Coach Lewis.  "Our players are more in sync and we're playing with more confidence defensively."
 
In order for the Highlanders to win they will need to play their brand of possession-style soccer, create opportunities off the ball, and finish when they have the chance.    
 
Key Players:
The primary scoring threats for the Ducks come from two speedy forwards, junior Raba Nassif (15 goals, 15 assists) and freshman Zisi Komar (15 goals, nine assists).  Junior midfielder Kristen Goncalves has also bolstered the Stevens attack with nine goals and 10 assists.
 
The Ducks also have four additional players in double-digit points.
 
Houghton is led by senior midfielder Sarah Gabriele (Mahwah, NJ, Eastern Christian), who has been tough to contain.  A possession and distribution-style player, Gabriele has also found a knack for scoring goals this season, leading the Highlanders with seven (18 total points). 
 
Junior forward Bailey Shattell (Syracuse, NY, Faith Heritage) (six goals, four assists) has stepped up her game as of late, posting four goals and three assists in her last seven games. 
 
The Highlander defense is anchored by sophomore defender Alexis Lamb (Newark Valley, NY, Home School) and senior goalkeeper Shawna Sprout (Portville, NY, Portville Central).  Together they have led the Highlanders to nine shutouts this season, allowing only 9.35 shots per game.
 
Highlanders vs. the Rest of the Field:
 
Saturday, Sept. 26 vs. Nazareth College, at Houghton, Tied 0-0
                Game notes: Highlanders outshot the Golden Flyers, 11-7
 
Saturday, Oct. 3 vs. Ithaca College, at Ithaca, Lost 0-1, 2OT
                Game notes: Bombers scored with 41 seconds remaining in the second overtime period.  Highlanders held a slim shot advantage, 18-17, although they were                 outshot during the two extra periods, 5-2.
 
Empire 8 Women's Soccer Conference Tournament Facts:

• Ithaca and Nazareth have qualified for the tournament every year.
• Stevens has qualified for every tournament since joining the conference in 2007-08.  
• Houghton is participating in its first E8 postseason tournament. 
• There have been co-champions six times (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2012 and 2014) and every time it was Ithaca and Nazareth. The two teams then had to do PK shootout to determine the NCAA automatic qualifier which Ithaca winning four times and Nazareth twice.
• There have been 12 overtime games throughout the history of the tournament.
• The #1 seed is 12-1 in the semifinal game of the tournament. #2 seed (9-4), #3 seed (4-9), #4 seed (1-12).
• The #1 seed has won or tied the conference championship 11 times.
• The #2 seed has tied the title five times but never won outright.  
• The #3 seed has won the title once and tied for the title once.
• The #4 seed won the titel once in 2006 
• 2015 marks the second time Stevens will serve as the number one seed; the first time was 2011.
• Stevens has played in the championship game twice and won both times.
• Ithaca owns a 4-4-2 E8 tournament record
• This will be the third time Ithaca is the No. 2 seed. 
• Ithaca is 12-3-8 in E8 tournament games, including a 4-0-6 mark in the title game.
• Nazareth has advanced to the championship game every year. 
• Nazareth is 12-6-8 in tournament games, including a 1-6-6 mark in the title game.
• Houghton, as an NCAA provisional member, can win the Empire 8 championship but cannot advance to the NCAA tournament.  In such a case the runner up team would claim the AQ.