HOUGHTON, N.Y. -- Houghton women's soccer reached double digits in wins and moved to .500 in E8 play with a 1-0 win over Russell Sage on Saturday.

The win also clinches a postseason spot for the Highlanders, who currently sit seventh in the E8 standings and can finish no lower than eighth with one game to go.

It was a back and forth affair in the first half with neither team to able to muster many scoring opportunities over the first 45 minutes. Houghton held a 6-3 edge in shots. After the break, Houghton upped the pressure and seemed to take control, continuously pushing the ball into the Sage end of the field. That pressure paid dividends in the 52nd minute when Hope Russell found a loose ball in front of the goal and push it past the Gators keeper. The goal was Russell's team-leading 10th goal of the campaign.

Houghton kept up their tenacity as the second half continued, but just couldn't find a second goal. And defensively, Houghton was able to turn away some late pressure from Sage to preserve the shutout.

Preslee Miller made two saves to tally her eighth shutout of the campaign.

Houghton finished with a 17-7 shots advantage, with Russell leading the team with five on the afternoon.

The Highlanders will wrap up their regular season at home on Wednesday, October 29 at 7 pm. vs. Elmira College.