HOUGHTON, N.Y. — Houghton will open the 2026 Empire 8 Field Hockey Championship Tournament at home Saturday, hosting No. 5 seed St. John Fisher in a first-round matchup at 4 p.m. at Burke Field.
The fourth-seeded Highlanders finished the regular season 10-5 overall and 6-3 in Empire 8 play. Houghton earned the No. 4 seed for the tournament, while the Cardinals enter as the No. 5 seed with an 8-9 overall record and a 5-4 conference mark.
"We are proud to have earned a home playoff game," said Head Coach Hannah Zgrablich. "We know firsthand how closely these two teams can compete, and we are looking forward to a hard-fought match on Saturday."
A Familiar Opponent
Saturday's matchup features two teams that have already played a close contest this season. Houghton rallied from a 2-0 third-quarter deficit to defeat the Cardinals, 3-2, in overtime on Oct. 14 in Rochester. Fisher took an early lead before Ashley Quinnett scored to get the Highlanders on the board. Ava Kramp later tied the game in the fourth quarter, and Adria Hartzler scored the game-winner in overtime.
The Cardinals are making their 15th consecutive appearance in the Empire 8 Tournament and are seeking their fourth conference championship. Mary Kate McPhee leads Fisher with 27 points on 12 goals and five assists, while Avery McLaughlin has added 21 points on eight goals and five assists. Goalkeeper Morgan Parrinello has recorded eight wins and four shutouts.
Highlander Offense
Houghton enters the postseason having outscored its opponents, 47-30, this season. Kylee Barshinger and Courtney Walbridge share the team lead with 25 points apiece. Walbridge has scored a team-high 12 goals, while Barshinger has nine goals and seven assists. Adria Hartzler has contributed six goals and 14 points, and Ava Kramp leads the Highlanders with eight assists.
In goal, Amber Cribbs has appeared in all 15 games, recording a 2.00 goals-against average and a .797 save percentage.
The Highlanders are making their fifth consecutive Empire 8 Tournament appearance and seventh overall. Houghton advanced to the conference championship game for the first time in program history in 2022. The program is seeking its first Empire 8 title.
Road to the Championship
The winner of Saturday's game will advance to the semifinals Wednesday, Nov. 4, at top-seeded SUNY Geneseo. The Knights finished 14-3 overall and 9-0 in conference play. The other semifinal will feature the winner of No. 3 SUNY Brockport and No. 6 Utica at No. 2 Hartwick.
The Empire 8 Championship game is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7, at the highest remaining seed. The conference champion will receive an automatic berth in the NCAA Division III Field Hockey Championship.
Admission
Tickets must be purchased online in advance. Tickets prices for Empire 8 Championship events are as follows:
Adults: $10
Senior Citizens: $5
Students with ID: $2
Houghton Students and Children 12 and under: FREE
