HOUGHTON, N.Y. – Beating a team twice in one season is a tough task, and Houghton men's soccer learned that first hand Friday as they fell 1-0 to the Sage Gators in the Empire 8 semifinals Friday at Burke Field. With the loss the Highlanders finish the campaign with a record of 5-2.

No. 2 Houghton had defeated the No. 3 Gators in a hard-fought 1-0 OT win just five days ago.

The teams played evenly throughout the contest with Houghton looking to possess and use deft passing to find gaps in the Gators defense and the Gators using physical play to keep the Highlanders at bay. Houghton did manage to control most of the possession in the first half, but could never find those gaps that would produce too many dangerous chances. Noah Ewing had Houghton's best opportunity in the first half, sending a blistering shot over the Gators goal from 25 yards out.

After more back and forth action early in the second half, the Gators were finally able to break through in the 67th minute. A bouncing shot sent into the box by a Gator forward seemed to be harmlessly on its way to keeper Caleb Loew, but Christian Vaalsteun raced past a Houghton defender and sent a diving header into the net to shock the Highlanders.

Down a goal, Houghton upped its pressure, while the Gators were content to settle more deeply into their defensive end. Despite the packed back line, Houghton produced a few scoring chances. Oscar Palacios just missed on a header and then sent an 18 yard shot right into the chest of the Gator keeper. But senior Julius Klohr had Houghton's best chance. Klohr took advantage of a quick transition, moved into the box and ripped a shot toward the far post, but Gator keeper Anthony Molina made a diving stop to turn away the threat.

GAME VITALS

Score: Houghton - 0 | Sage - 1
Records: Houghton: 5-2-0 | Sage: 4-2-0
Venue: Burke Field | Houghton, N.Y.  | Attendance: 100

SCORING SUMMARY

66:37	SAGE	Christian Vaalsteun (3) Assisted By: Jeaneste Pierre

NOTABLE STATS
>> Houghton had a 13-8 advantage in shots; shots on goal were even at 4 apiece
>> Caleb Loew made 3 stops in net
>> Houghton had a 7-1 edge in corners
>> This was Houghton's third appearance in the E8 Tournament (2015, 2016)