HOUGHTON, N.Y. -- Houghton women's soccer closed their season with a heartbreaking penalty shootout result in the first round of the Empire 8 Tournament.

The No. 4 Highlanders tied Utica, 1-1, but the No. 5 Pioneers advanced after claiming a 3-1 edge in the penalty kick shootout after 110 minutes of play.

Houghton was crisp and effective from the onset, controlling most of the play at the midfield and pressing into the attacking third. Despite the strong play, the Highlanders couldn't get any shots past the Pioneers keeper. The Highlanders put seven shots toward goal in the game's first 17 minutes and finally found paydirt in the 31st minute. Moriah Steffen's direct kick made it past the defensive wall and to the keeper, who was unable to cleanly handle the low shot. Kealy DeForest pounced on the loose ball and put Houghton ahead 1-0.

The lead didn't last long, as the Pioneers took advantage of a similar ricochet just five minutes later. A low Utica shot gave Houghton keeper Megan Merrifield some trouble and Pioneer Sydney Cook converted the rebound to even the score.

The rest of regulation and the two overtime periods went scoreless, but each team had its chances. The Pioneers attacked the Highlanders with a strong transition game, but the Houghton defense thwarted most threats and Merrifield turned back each shot. On the other end, Pioneer keeper Emily Hill was equal to the task and made some tough saves on the shots that made it past the Utica defenders.

After an extra 20 minutes of play, the game went to a shootout. Utica converted its first and third attempts, while Houghton's Erin Maggio tallied on Houghton's third shot. After another miss by the Highlanders, Utica's Kaela Mochak slotted the winner past Merrifield, advancing the visitors to the E8 semifinals where they will face top-seed Nazareth on Friday.

Houghton ends it's season with a record of 3-3-1.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 1 | Utica - 1 (Utica advances 3-1 in shootout)
Records: Houghton: 3-3-1 | Utica: 2-2-2
Venue: Burke Field | Houghton, N.Y. | Attendance: 100

SCORING SUMMARY

30:11		Kealy DeForest Assisted By: Moriah Steffen
35:06		Sydney Cook

Shootout Results
Houghton -- Stephanie Beattie shot saved
Utica -- Jenna Keeman shot made
Houghton -- Anna Kalivoda shot saved
Utica -- Mikayla Kelley shot wide
Houghton -- Erin Maggio shot made
Utica -- Hillaria Hernandez shot made
Houghton -- Sierra Dibble shot saved
Utica -- Kaela Mochak shot made

NOTABLE STATS
>> DeForest finished the season with 5 goals to lead the Highlanders
>> Houghton outshot Utica 24-14 with a 14-8 edge in shots on goal.
>> Corners were 6-2 in favor of the Highlanders
>> Merrifield stopped 7 shots, while Hill has 13 saves for the Pioneers.
>> Steffen and Sierra Dibble led the Highlanders with 6 shots apiece. Five of Steffen's shots were on goal.
>> This was the first shootout for Houghton since winning the 2015 NCCAA National Title on penalties
>> Houghton is now 0-1-1 in E8 tournament play