UTICA, N.Y. – Houghton men's soccer produced their highest goal scoring output of the season and registered their second-straight shutout, 5-0, over Utica College on Saturday.

Four players scored for the Highlanders, led by senior Ben Lawrence, who found the back of the net twice and also picked up an assist. Ben DiCrasto opened the scoring in the 24th minute, redirecting a perfectly centered ball and redirecting past the keeper from 8 yards out. Lawrence got in on the action seven minutes later, curling a 20-yard free kick around the wall and beyond the reach of the diving keeper. Zach Shilvock closed out the first half scoring with a tally in the 34th minute, passing the ball into the net after it had gotten past the keeper at the top of the box.

After the break, Lawrence scored again, this time off an corner kick assist from Nicholas D'Angelo. Then Lawrence picked up a helper on the seventh goal of the season for Bogna in the 69th minute.

Despite the win, other results in the E8 guaranteed the Highlanders would miss the postseason for the second-straight year.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 5 | Utica – 0
Records: Houghton: 6-9 (2-4 E8) | Utica: 5-10-1 (1-5 E8)
Venue: Gaetano Stadium, Utica College | Attendance: 107

SCORING SUMMARY

Scoring Summary

Time	Team	Description
23:31		Ben DiCrasto (5)  Assisted By: Brice Bogna , Gabe VanWyk
30:41		Ben Lawrence (1)  Score Off Freekick
33:22		Zach Shilvock (2)  GOAL By HCMS18 Zach Shilvock
58:41		Ben Lawrence (2)  Assisted By: Nicholas D'Angelo
68:09		Brice Bogna (7)  Assisted By: Ben Lawrence

NOTABLE STATS
>> Lawrence's goal were his first two of the season after scoring seven in each of his first three seasons. Lawrence shifted from attack to defense for his final campaign and has a been key in Houghton's back line.
>> Loew made one stop to get the shutout.
>> Bogna leads the team with seven goals and 16 points
>> VanWyk has a team-high six assists on the season.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"Although we can't advance to the post season, we have talked about finishing the season well. This week was a great week for finishing well. We have had two clean sheets and finally found the back of the net. Ben Lawrence was fantastic tonight, with two fantastic goals.... and also contributed an assist. Elijah Steffen was also a key factor tonight in controlling the midfield particularly physically. I was very proud of the team tonight." -- Head Coach Matthew Webb 

UP NEXT
The Highlanders will finish off the campaign with back to back home contests next week. They host Brockport on Tuesday, October 23 and close the year with an E8 battled against Nazareth on Saturday, October 27.