It was a big day for Houghton men's soccer as the Highlanders (3-3-1, 1-0 E8) opened up Empire 8 conference play with a 3-1 victory over the Nazareth College Golden Flyers (0-7, 0-1 E8).
The victory marked a milestone in the career of Houghton head coach Matthew Webb. In his 11
th season at the helm of the Highlanders men's team, today marked the 100
th victory in Webb's coaching tenure. His career record now stands at 100-89-27.
After a foul in the box only 1:41 into the match, the Golden Flyers were awarded a penalty.
Jacob Dunnett (Quispamsis, New Brunswick, Kennebecasis) denied the initial shot by Yacov Zohn but Lucas Bennett put the rebound home to give the Golden Flyers and early lead
Twenty-eight minutes later Houghton's
Jordan Mullen (Fillmore, NY, Fillmore) scored his fourth goal season to tie the game. Mullen would only play the first half for the Highlanders before joining his brother-in-law to race back to Houghton to participate in his sister's wedding.
In the 55
th minute, freshman
Andrew Bussey (Leicester, England, Rosslyn Academy) scored his first career goal on a feed from junior
Jesse Toth (Victor, NY, Victor), ripping a shot through the keeper's outstretched hands.
Less than two minutes later fellow freshman
Ben Lawrence (Marlborough, CT, RHAM High School) would tack on some insurance off a pass from sophomore
Nic Loew (Center Valley, PA, Southern Lehigh).
The Highlanders held advantages over the Golden Flyers in shots (14-6) and corner kicks (4-2).
Houghton takes the pitch next against the University of Pittsburgh-Bradford on Wednesday, September 23 at 3:00 in Bradford, Pennsylvania.
