HOUGHTON, N.Y. — Houghton women's soccer earned its first-ever Empire 8 Tournament victory Saturday, rallying for a 2-1 overtime win over Hartwick in the first round at Burke Field.
The No. 3 seeded Highlanders, making their sixth appearance in the conference tournament, overcame a 1-0 halftime deficit to advance to the semifinals for the first time in program history.
Hartwick, seeded sixth, took the lead in the 37th minute when Lily Dempsey scored off an assist from Elizabeth Burke.
Houghton found the equalizer in the 83rd minute. Elena Esh set up Leah Jackson, who scored her first goal of the season to bring the Highlanders even at 1-1.
The teams remained tied through the end of regulation, sending the match to overtime. Houghton secured the victory in the 94th minute when a looping pass into the box deflected off the Hartwick goalkeeper. Hope Russell followed the play and finished near the post for the game-winner, her 10th goal of the season. Sophia Templeton was credited with the assist.
Olivia Short made six saves in goal for Houghton. The Highlanders finished with six shots, five on target, while Hartwick recorded 10 shots, including seven on goal.
Houghton improves to 11-5-2 and will travel to face No. 2 seed Nazareth in the Empire 8 semifinals Wednesday, Nov. 4.
