HOUGHTON, N.Y. – With less than 18 minutes to play Jordan Mullen (Fillmore, NY, Fillmore) took a feed from Andrew Bussey (Leicester, England, Rosslyn Academy) at the top of the box, took a touch to his left to beat the keeper and slid home the game winner.

"We've actually practiced that play dozens of times over the past two weeks," said Mullen following the game.  "Andy made a great play to put the ball on my feet and I was lucky enough to beat the keeper.  It was a tremendous feeling to do that at home, in front of our fans and my family."

"I'm going to have to nickname Mullen 'The Knack'," quipped Head Coach Matthew Webb, "because he just seems to have a knack for finding the back of the net.

"His movement away from the ball was tremendous," Webb continued, "He made a great move away from the ball, then made a diagonal run to beat the defender into the box."

In a seesaw game that saw both teams tally 12 shots a piece, each side had ample opportunities to take the lead.

Fredonia State opened the match with an early opportunity, netting a goal just a minute into the game, only to have it negated by an offsides call.

For the remainder of the first half Houghton edged the Blue Devils in possession, shots and opportunities, but could not take the lead.

Minutes into the second half, Ben Lawrence (Marlborough, CT, RHAM High School) ripped a shot off the crossbar, which was corralled by Bussey, only to be turned away by an excellent save from Fredonia keeper, Sammy Torrelli.

Fredonia responded 10 minutes later when Hunter Critchlow beat his defender on the left side and placed a top-spin shot over the head of Houghton keeper Jacob Dunnett (Quispamsis, New Brunswick, Kennebecasis), only to see the ball clang off the crossbar as well.

After Mullen's goal, the Blue Devils increased their pressure, sending additional attackers into the offensive end. 

Dunnett responded with several key saves and numerous plays where he collected, deflected or punched balls out of the area. 

"Dunnett was awesome," said Coach Webb.  "He took several good hits and just kept getting up."

The Blue Devils best opportunity came with 2:30 left in the game, when Parker Healy ripped a shot toward the upper corner from just inside the box.  Dunnett dove and tipped the ball wide.

Fredonia played the ball back into the box and in the ensuing scrum Ryan Keller found a hole in the defense, sending the game-tying shot toward the back of the net.  Yet somehow Jordan Smith (Lititz, PA, Warwick) made a tremendous save with his feet on the line, managing to clear it from the area, saving the game for the Highlanders.

Dunnett finished the game with four saves.

The Highlanders are back in action on Friday, when they take on William Paterson University at SUNY Oswego.