HOUGHTON, NY – For over 47 minutes the Houghton Highlanders played the Empire 8-leading St. John Fisher Cardinals to a scoreless tie. But the top team in the conference, who knocked on the door throughout the night, would not be denied, scoring two goals in the game's closing minutes to defeat the Highlanders and remain unbeaten in the conference.
In the 48
th minute, Fisher's Gianna Palma won a ball at midfield and played a long pass to the top of the circle to Molly Fisher. Fisher beat a defender and chopped a shot over the sliding Houghton goalie to score what would be the eventually game-winner.
Five minutes later, Fisher earned a corner and off a direct-insert from Audrey Grieb, Bre Socker rocketed home her Empire 8-leading 14
th goal of the season, putting the Cardinals up by two.
Despite only recording one shot on the night, Houghton created multiple scoring opportunities. In the first quarter
Jace Hunzinger beat two opponents down the right side of the field and played a perfect cross directly in front of the mouth of the cage, catching the goalie off her line, but the ball sailed helplessly past and rolled out of bounds, untouched.
In the fourth, Hunzinger beat an opponent into the middle of the field and slid a ball through to
Bekah Davie, who had an open look at the goal just inside the circle. But the ball was played slightly behind Davie and it clipped her in the heel, giving Fisher the ball.
Moments later,
Peyton Bentley found herself on a breakaway one-on-one with the Fisher keeper, who came off her line to challenge the play. Bentley's touch went a bit too far off her stick, and the goalie kicked the ball away.
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 0 | St. John Fisher – 2
Records: Houghton: 4-11 (2-5 Empire 8) | St. John Fisher: 10-6 (8-0 Empire 8)
Venue: Burke Field, Houghton College | Attendance: 91
SCORING SUMMARY
| Time |
Team |
Description |
| 47:32 |
 |
Molly Fisher (8)
Assisted By: Gianna Palma |
| 52:49 |
|
Bre Socker (14)
Assisted By: Audrey Grieb |
NOTABLE STATS
>> St. John Fisher has now clinched their third consecutive regular-season Empire 8 championship. They have not lost a regular season conference game since 2018.
>>
Madison Tadusz made seven saves in goal for the Highlanders, several of the spectacular variety.
UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to Burke Field on Saturday for their final game of the season when they will host the Sage College Gators at 3:30 p.m.
