HOUGHTON, N .Y. – Houghton field hockey gave a strong Stevens Tech team a run, but couldn't find the equalizer late in a 2-1 conference loss Saturday at home.

The Ducks pressed early with five shots over the first five minutes. The fifth shot found paydirt as Taylor Welch put her attempt past Houghton keeper Elizabeth Piszker (Glens Mills, PA, Cardinal O'Hara).

The rest of the half was bend-but-don't-break for Houghton. The Ducks got off seven more shots to only two attempts for the Highlanders, but Piszker was up to the challenge with nine first half saves.

The visitors earned a two-goal cushion when Dailyn Brook scored in the 52^nd minute off a pass from Nolie Prouty. However, Houghton wasn't ready to call it a day. The hosts turned up the pressure over the next six minutes. Kelsie Ashley (Landisville, PA, Hempfield HS) sent a strong shot on goal in the 59^th minute, Alyson DeMerchant (Napanee, Ontario, Napanee District Secondary School) re-directed the rebound to Kristin McKane (Clayville, NY, Mount Markham), who sent a close-range shot into the goal.

Houghton overcame two shots and three-straight penalty corners over the final four minutes.

Piszker finished with 12 saves on the afternoon. Houghton outshot the Ducks, 5-4, in the second half, but trailed 16-7 for the game. Penalty corners were 8-6 in favor of the Ducks.

Houghton (3-2, 1-1 E8) hosts St. John Fisher in another E8 matchup on Wednesday, September 23.