HOUGHTON, NY—After fighting back from a two goal deficit, the Highlander field hockey team fell to Empire 8 conference rival St. John Fisher College, 3-2, on Wednesday night.
"The girls played an incredible game tonight," commented head coach Hannah Zgrablich. "To rise to the level of play of the number one team in the conference and come back from a 2-0 deficit took so much fight and heart."
The loss drops the Highlanders to 3-3, 1-2 Empire 8, while the Cardinals improved to 5-2, 3-0 Empire 8.
While Houghton had several opportunities to score, the first half belonged to the Cardinals, who outshot the Highlanders 8-2 in the period.
In the 21
st minute of play, Gabby LaForce received the corner and took a hard shot on net. A Houghton defender deflected into the air toward the back side of the goal where an awaiting Elizabeth Cusack knocked the ball into the cage to give the Cardinals the lead.
St. John Fisher struck again, nearly 10 minutes into the second half when Emily Markarian found Lauren Fazio for her fifth goal of the season.
The Highlanders, however, refused to give up. Less than seven minutes later sophomore
Ashley Hughes (Fairport, NY, Fairport High School) slotted a ball through to
Kristin McKane (Clayville, NY, Mount Markham) who scored to bring the Highlanders within one.
With 7:30 remaining on the clock the Cardinals threatened once more as Markarian broke free from the defense and headed to goal. With only the keeper to beat,
Elizabeth Piszker (Glens Mills, PA, Cardinal O'Hara) made a tremendous sliding save to keep the Highlanders within striking distance.
As the clock dwindled to less than two minutes remaining in the game the Highlanders lined up for corner.
Marissa Hollinger (Lancaster, PA, Manheim Township) played the ball in to McKane, who played the ball back to Hollinger, who quickly deposited the tying goal into the cage.
In overtime Cardinals keeper Danielle Famolaro made a unbelievable diving save on a shot by McKane. Piszker quickly followed with an outstanding save of her own on Markarian.
Then with just over seven minutes remaining in the overtime period Markarian broke free once more, beat Piszker to her left, then flicked the ball into the net for the win.
After the game, Coach Zgrablich could only praise her team: "Every single person had their best game to date tonight. This game will serve as a great stepping stone as we head into the rest of conference play."
The Highlanders next play on Saturday, when they travel to Utica College to take on the Pioneers at 1:00 p.m.
