HOUGHTON, N.Y. -- The Houghton College field hockey Team fought hard but eventually came up one goal short of Empire 8 foe Utica College. 3-2 would be the final score of the contest. 
 
In a first half controlled mostly by defense, Utica managed to find their way into the goal with a shot by Rylee Meelan 16:09 into play. For the rest of the period the HIghlanders and Pioneers would exchange shots but there would be no further scoring.
 
Just over 10 minutes into the second half Rachael Scaramuzzino would notch another goal for the Pioneers giving them a strong 2-0 advantage. But the Highlanders would not go down without a fight. Just nine minutes later, off of a pass from Kelsie Ashley, Ashley Hughes would get the Highlanders on the board and cut the deficit in half. Riding the newfound momentum Kelsie Ashley would take things into her own hands and tie the game with a goal of her own just four minutes later. 
 
With the clock winding down and just six minutes left to play Utica's Jordan Noga would score the final goal of the game off of an assisnt from Rebecca Kauffman. 
 
The loss drops Houghton down to an even 7-7 (2-4 E8) and improves the Pioneers to 4-10 (3-4 E8).
 
Highlander goalkeeper Elizabeth Piszker would tally two saves on the day.
 
For the Pioneers, Samantha Whitehouse would notch four saves of her own.

The Highlanders just edged out the Pioneers, 10-9, in shots on the afternoon and held a 12-9 advantage in corners.

Houghton is back in action hosting Geneseo on Tuesday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m.