HOUGHTON, NY – The Houghton Highlanders turned in another outstanding performance on Saturday afternoon, defeating the visiting Nazareth Golden Flyers, 2-0, to remain undefeated (4-0) in Empire 8 conference play.
After peppering the Nazareth cage for several minutes, the Highlanders finally put a one on the scoreboard when
Elzandie Du Plessis beat a defender around the right wing and slotted a ball to Hunzinger in the middle of the circle. Hunzinger ripped a one-time shot to the far post for her fourth goal of the season.
Houghton added an insurance goal just over five minutes into the second quarter. Hunzinger beat a defender on the outside and sent a pass across the goal mouth. The ball snuck past two defenders before
Bekah Davie knocked home her team-leading ninth goal of the season.
While the Golden Flyers ramped up the pressure in the second half, outshooting the Highlanders, 9-1, the Houghton defense held fast. Goalie
Madison Tadusz collected six saves in the final 30 minutes, in route to her fourth shutout of the season.
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 2 | Nazareth – 0
Records: Houghton: 8-2 (4-0 Empire 8) | Nazareth: 1-9 (1-3 Empire 8)
Venue: Burke Field, Houghton University | Attendance: 50
SCORING SUMMARY
NOTABLE STATS
>> The Highlanders 8-2 overall record, and 4-0 conference record, continue to be their best start to any season since joining the NCAA and Empire 8.
>> Hunzinger notched her 10
th assist of the season on Davie's goal. She is the only Houghton player in the past 11 years to reach double-digit assists in a single season, a feat she also accomplished last season as a freshman, when she dished out 12 assists.
>> Tadusz became the first Houghton goalie in the NCAA era to post four shutouts in a season.
UP NEXT
The Highlanders will remain at the friendly confines of Burke Field this Wednesday, when they match up with the visiting SUNY Geneseo Knights at 5:30 p.m. Geneseo is also currently 8-2, having most recently knocked off #18 SUNY Cortland, 2-0, earlier this afternoon.
