PINE VALLEY, NY – Jace Hunzinger made sure to spread the wealth on Wednesday afternoon, dishing out three assists, to three different teammates, as the Houghton Highlanders defeated the Elmira Soaring Eagles for their second straight Empire 8 victory.
In the 22nd minute, Hunzinger beat an opponent on the outside and raced unopposed down the end line toward the goal. As the keeper came out to challenge, Hunzinger slid a pass across the goal mouth to Peyton Bentley, who hammered home the opening, and game-winning, goal.
Just over three minutes later, Hunzinger nearly repeated the same, play beating a defender around the right wing, cutting to the near post, and finding Bekah Davie on the back post to put the Highlanders up, 2-0.
The Highlanders final goal came in the 48th minute off a penalty corner when Hunzinger received a pass at the top of the circle, beat a defender to her right and slotted a perfect pass to Deborah Cross at the near post for the finish.
Defensively, Madison Tadusz stopped five shots in the cage for her third shutout of the season.
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 3 | Elmira – 0
Records: Houghton: 5-2 (2-0 Empire 8) | Elmira: 0-7 (0-3 Empire 8)
Venue: Murray Athletic Center | Attendance: 42
SCORING SUMMARY
NOTABLE STATS
>> Hunzinger currently leads the Highlanders with 14 total points, three goals and eight assists.
>> Bentley and Davie remain tied for the team lead in goals with five apiece.
>> Tadusz is the first Houghton goalie to record three shutouts in a season since Elizabeth Piszker accomplished the feat in 2017.
>> Houghton's 5-2 mark is their best record through a season's first seven games since 2012, and the first time they have opened conference play with victories in their first two games since joining the Empire 8.
UP NEXT
The Highlanders travel to Keuka College on Saturday to take on the Wolves at 11:00 a.m.
