BEAVER FALLS, Pa. -- Houghton men's soccer overcame an early 1-0 deficit to claim a 2-1 win over Geneva on the road Saturday.

The host Golden Tornadoes scored in the fourth minute and maintained that lead and pressure throughout the rest of the first half. Once the second half started, it didn't take long for the Highlanders to find the equalizer. A Geneva foul in the box in the 47th minute gave Houghton a shot from the penalty spot, and senior Ben DiCrasto calmly slotted the attempt home to make the score 1-1.

Houghton withstood more pressure from Geneva as the second half progressed, but it was the Highlanders who finally broke the stalemate, thanks to the effort of Caleb Kaiss. The senior forced a save with a shot in the 76th minute and then scored the winner in the 83rd minute off an assist from Paul Mitchell.

MATCH VITALS
Score:  Houghton - 2   |   Geneva - 1
Records:  Houghton 1-0-1  |  Grove City 0-2-0
Location:   Geneva College  |   Beaver Falls, PA
 
MATCH STATS
> Shots were even at eight apiece. Houghton outshot Geneva 5-2 in the first half, while the Golden Tornadoes had a 6-3 edge over the final 45 minutes.
> Seven of Houghton's eight shots were on goal.
> Geneva had a 3-1 edge in corners.
> Kaiss finished with two shots on goal. His goal was the third of his career.
> DiCrasto has now scored 10 goals in his career.
> Caleb Loew made three stops in net to pick up the win.
 
FROM THE COACH
"I'm extremely proud of how the guys responded to some adversity tonight. Geneva are physically strong and very athletic and they had the better of the first half. To see our guys battle from behind and get the win was really encouraging." - Head Coach Bobby McColl

NEXT UP
Houghton is next in action on Friday, September 6 at 6 p.m. when they travel to take on the Fredonia Blue Devils.