ALFRED, N.Y. -- In what looked like an evenly played game by the statistics, Houghton women's soccer took a decisive 3-0 win over Alfred State on the road Tuesday night.

The Pioneers proved to be a strong side from the start, forcing two saves by keeper Preslee Miller within the first three minutes. But the Highlanders were equal to the task and broke through on their first shot in the 8th minute. Elizabeth Wertz found Hope Russell with a long free kick into the Alfred State box, and the freshman from Fillmore scored her team-leading seventh goal of the season.

The teams battled through the remaining minutes of the first half, with the Pioneers having an 8-5 shots advantage over the first 45 minutes.

Houghton continued to press and found more openings in the Alfred State defense through the early moments of the second half, and the team would be rewarded in the 73rd minute. Karryne Mims touched a beautiful pass to a streaking Taylor Curyto 40 yards from goal. Curyto ran past the defense, found herself one on one with the keeper, and calmly placed the ball into the lower right of the net. Mims would get her own tally just six minutes later off another long assist from Wertz. Taking another free kick from the other side of half field, Wertz found Mims in the box and the junior touched the ball past the keeper.

Second half shots were 11-7 in Houghton's favor over the final 45 minutes.

Preslee Miller registered eight saves for her fifth shutout of the season.

Mims was a menace in front of the net, totaling seven saves, including four on goal. Russell finished with four shots.

The Highlanders bring Alfred University to Burke Field on Saturday, September 27 for an E8 contest at 2 p.m.