HOUGHTON, N.Y. -- Elena Esh scored a late goal to send Houghton women's soccer to a 1-0 win over Elmira in the regular season finale on Burke Field on Wednesday.

Houghton dominated play throughout, but were unable to crack the back line of the spirited Soaring Eagles. The Highlanders managed just four shots in the first half, but were able to double that effort over the final 45 minutes. They finally broke through in the 81st minute when Gracelyn Williams found Esh for the game-winner. After a corner kick that bounced around in the box, Williams was able to backheel the ball to Esh, who put home her seventh goal of the season.

Esh finished with four shots on the night, tying teammate Hope Russell for the team lead.

Preslee Miller made two stops to get her ninth shutout of the season.

With the win, Houghton (11-4-3; 5-4-2 E8) secured the seventh seed in the Empire 8 Tournament and will take on No. 2 St. John Fisher on Saturday, November 1. More details on the game and tournament will be announced here and on the tournament website.

Houghton's win total is the most since the team finished 11-8-4 in 2016. The five E8 wins are the most since joining the conference in 2014. The team had four wins in 2015 and 2024.