HOUGHTON, N.Y. -- Houghton women's soccer closed out their regular season with a 2-1 win over visiting Russell Sage on Saturday.
The win gives the Highlanders (3-3 overall; 2-2 E8) the fourth seed in next week's Empire 8 Tournament.
Sage opened the scoring on Saturday with a goal in the 10th minute, but
Kealy DeForest brought the Highlanders even off an assist from
Mikayla Simons in the 31st minute. Each team produced two shots over the final 10 minutes of the half, with Houghton's final shot coming off a 20-yard direct kick that
Alex Steele sent just high.
The Gators came out with purpose to start the second half, sending five shots toward the Houghton net over the first 13 minutes, but none found paydirt. Houghton responded with an
Anna Kalivoda shot that forced a save by the Gators keeper, then DeForest tallied her second of the day off an assist from
Tess Schilke.
The Gators pressed late, producing three shots and a corner kick, but the Highlander defense held strong.
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GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 2 | Sage - 2
Records: Houghton: 3-3-0 (2-2-0 E8) | Sage: 3-2-0 (3-2-0 E8)
Venue: Burke Field | Houghton, N.Y. | Attendance: 100
SCORING SUMMARY
NOTABLE STATS
>> DeForest has now scored four times over the last two games and leads the team with four goals on the year.
>> The Gators led in total shots, 14-8. Shots on goal were even at 6 apiece.
>> Houghton edged Sage in corners, 3-2
>>
Megan Merrifield stopped five shots to get the win
>> This will be Houghton's second appearance in the E8 Tournament (2015)
>> Sage will be seeded second in the tournament
COACH'S CORNER
"This was a very solid win for us. We finally began to click and connect as a team today. This is great news as we head into playoffs. Sage is a dangerous attacking team and we were able to battle with them and get the result in the end. I believe this was the best way for us to celebrate a great senior class on their senior day," -- Head Coach
Nikki Elsaesser
UP NEXT
The Highlanders will host 5th seed Utica College on Tuesday at 5 p.m. at Burke Field in the first round of the Empire 8 Tournament.
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