HOUGHTON, NY – With less than six minutes to play,
Peyton Bentley ripped a
Jace Hunzinger pass into the back of the cage to break a 1-1 tie, propelling the Houghton Highlanders past the Utica Pioneers to open Empire 8 conference play with a win.
After dominating most of the first half, Houghton inserted a corner in the 23
rd minute. Utica keeper, Lyla Cushman stopped the initial shot by
Katherine Manley, but
Jace Hunzinger collected the carom and ripped a shot off the far post, precisely where
Bekah Davie was waiting to tip home the opening goal.
The score remained 1-0 until the 53
rd minute, when Houghton goalie
Madison Tadusz made a sliding save at the top of the circle, only to watch Utica's Makayla Arnold dig the ball out from underneath her and slide ball into the cage to tie the score, 1-1.
Less than a minute later, Hunzinger dribbled down the right side, split the defense to a wide open Bentley, who finished the game winner.
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 2 | Utica – 1
Records: Houghton: 4-2 (1-0 Empire 8) | Utica: 1-3 (0-1 Empire 8)
Venue: Burke Field, Houghton University | Attendance: 55
SCORING SUMMARY
NOTABLE STATS
>> Bentley and Davie now lead the Highlanders with four goals apiece.
>> Houghton picked up their second win against the Pioneers since joining the NCAA, both of which have come in their last three meetings.
>> The Highlanders' 4-2 mark is their best record through the first six games of the season since the 2016 season.
UP NEXT
The Highlanders head to Elmira on Wednesday to take on the Soaring Eagles at 4:30 p.m.
