HOUGHTON, N.Y. -- Matched up against the No. 25 team in the country, Houghton women's soccer knew it was in for a battle on Saturday afternoon against Penn State Behrend. But the Highlanders were up for the challenge and used two second-half goals to erase a 1-0 deficit and claim a 2-1 victory of the previously undefeated Lions.

GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton 2 | PSU-Behrend 1
Location: Houghton, N.Y. | Burke Field
Attendance: 140
Records: Houghton 2-2-1 | PSU-Behrend 4-1-0

DETAILS
>> The Lions displayed a strong possession game with crisp passing that kept the Highlanders on their toes throughout the first half.
>> Behrend broke through in the 17th minute and challenged Houghton keeper Preslee Miller on a couple of other dangerous opportunities, but the freshman turned them both away.
>> Despite trailing 1-0 after the first 45 minutes, Houghton seemed confident with renewed energy coming out of the break. The Highlanders controlled play over the early minutes of the second half and finally found the equalizer in the 65th minute. Natalie Milne found Elena Esh on a run into the box, and Esh fought off a Behrend defender to slip the low shot past the keeper.
>> While Esh's first tally was aided by a beautiful pass, the go-ahead goal from the sophomore five minutes later was a strong solo effort. Esh picked up a loose ball at midfield, raced down the left side into the box, moved past two Lion defenders and sent a low shot off the far post and into the next.
>> With a 2-1 advantage, the Highlanders had to withstand the Lions who increased their pressure looking for the equalizer. The visitors outshot the Highlanders 12-2 over the final 20 minutes, but Miller played strong in net. Her two biggest saves came with just over 13 minutes left. Miller dove to her right to stop a long low shot and then knocked away a second shot from an on-rushing forward.

NOTABLE STATS
>> The Lions outshot the Highlanders 24-10
>> Miller made a career-high nine saves
>> Behrend came into the contest undefeated at 4-0, with all four wins coming by shutout, and ranked No. 25 in the NCAA Division III polls.
>> Esh now leads the team with five goals on the season

COACH PELLEGRINO SAYS...
"It was great to see us committed to the game plan and to battle back from being down. Penn State Behrend is a solid team, and it's a great win for us to build on!"

UP NEXT
The Highlanders are on the road for their next contest, traveling to take on Buffalo State on Tuesday, September 17.