HOUGHTON, N.Y. -- Hope Russell drilled a 20-yard free kick in the 85th minute to break a stalemate and send Houghton women's soccer to a 2-1 win over Nazareth on Homecoming Saturday on Burke Field.

The Highlanders had been 0-13-1 dating back to 2012 and had never beaten the Golden Flyers since joining the Empire 8.

The visitors got on the board in the 15th minute to go up 1-0, but Houghton evened the scored off a corner 20 minutes later. Emily Purgason sent a perfect ball into the box and Elena Esh headed it into the back of the net. The first half was evenly played, with the Golden Flyers just edging the Highlanders in shots, 6-3.

Nazareth upped its pressure after the break, however, and put 19 shots toward the Houghton net. Seven of the shots were on goal, but Preslee Miller was equal to the task and stopped all seven shots she faced. 

After Russell's go-ahead goal, Nazareth got off two more shots over the final five minutes, but both were wide of the net.

Miller finished with 8 saves. Esh and Russell each had two shots.

Houghton is back in action for another E8 matchup vs. Keuka on Wednesday, October 8 at 7 p.m.