LANCASTER, Pa. -- Houghton women's soccer scored three times late in the second half to erase a three-goal deficit to Lancaster Bible and earn a 4-4 tie in their season opener on Friday.

GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton 4 | Lancaster Bible 4
Location: Lancaster, Pa. | Donald H. Funk Field
Attendance: 315
Records: Houghton 0-0-1 | Lancaster Bible 0-0-1

DETAILS
>> Lancaster Bible scored in the fifth and 11th minutes to gain a quick 2-0 lead.
>> Senior Natalie Milne pulled the visitors to within a goal just seven minutes later.
>> The score was 2-1 Chargers at the half.
>> Any momentum Houghton had at the end of the first half was gone eight minutes into the second when the Chargers increased their lead to 3-1.
>> The advantage grew to three goals just seven minutes later and it looked like the Chargers were on their way to victory.
>> The Highlanders did not go away and clawed their way back into the contest. Taylor Curyto scored off an assist from Sophia Templeton in the 69th minute, Elena Esh scored unassisted in the 77th minute, and Milne scored her second of the game in the 86th minute. Templeton picked up her second assist of the contest on the game-tying tally.

NOTABLE STATS
>> Freshman Preslee Miller got the start in goal and made two saves and allowed two goals in 45 minutes of action. Junior Chesnie Waddingham recorded two saves and two goals in the second half.
>> Houghton had a 16-11 shots advantage, including a 13-8 edge in shots on goal.
>> Corners were 6-1 in Houghton's favor.
>> Curyto finished with 4 shots (3 on goal), while Milne added 3 shots (2 on goal).
>> It was Milne's second career multi-goal game. The first came in her third game as a Highlander in 2021.
>> Esh's goal was the second of her career, while Templeton notched her first two points as a Highlander.

COACH PELLEGRINO SAYS...
"LBC is a great team that capitalized on their opportunities. I'm proud of how we battled back from a 4-1 deficit, and it just feels great to get out and play again! Lots of positives to build on from our first game."

UP NEXT
The Highlanders have a week to re-group as they return to action at the Fredonia Tournament vs. Oswego on Friday, September 6.