The Houghton women's soccer team opened Empire 8 conference play with a tough two-goal loss to Stevens Institute of Technology on Saturday afternoon.  
 
The loss drops the Highlander's record to 4-3, 0-1 Empire 8, while the Ducks improved to 4-2, 1-0 Empire 8.
 
Stevens opened the match by firing the first eight shots of the day but did not break through until the 17^th minute.
 
After a hand ball in the box against the Highlanders, Carly Bean finished the penalty kick to give the home team the 1-0 edge.
 
Two minutes later, Houghton would have a solid opportunity to tie, but Ducks keeper Lindsey Mahnken came up with a save on Nikki Garns (Chambersburg, PA, Greencastle-Antrim) to hold the lead.
 
Mahnken made two more stops in the first 22 minutes of the second half on shots by Garns and Bailey Shattell (Syracuse, NY, Faith Heritage) before the Ducks tacked on an insurance goal in the 76^th minute.
 
Olivia Butera sent a ball in off a corner kick and Sammy Mount headed the ball past the keeper.
 
For the Highlanders Garns and Shattell notched three shots apiece while goalie Shawna Sprout (Portville, NY, Portville Central) making two saves in the defeat.
 
Houghton returns to action on Saturday, September 26 at 1:00pm on Burke Field against conference foe Nazareth College.