Early Goal Not Enough as Field Hockey Falls to Houghton 2-1

Early Goal Not Enough as Field Hockey Falls to Houghton 2-1

MORRISVILLE, N.Y. – The Mustangs returned to the field on Tuesday evening for a non-conference night game against the visiting Highlanders from Houghton College.  The Mustangs got on the board first, but could not withstand the Houghton comeback, falling 2-1. 

Morrisville and Houghton played neck and neck in the first half.  Both teams tallied 4 penalty corners and the only advantage the Mustangs had was an additional shot.  Solid goalie play by both teams kept the score at zeros for the entire first half of play.

Both teams continued to battle to an even score throughout much of the second half as well.  However, it was Emily Hunt (Harpursville, N.Y.) who put the Mustangs ahead 1-0 with an unassisted goal in the 52nd minute of play. 

The Highlanders responded three minutes later when Kelsie Ashley blasted a shot from the top of the circle.  Ashley received the stick stop pass from Tanya Hatton on the penalty corner insert. 

The Mustangs and Highlanders traded shots over the next four minutes trying to take the advantage.  However, nifty passing by Houghton in front of the net after an initial save by the Mustang's keeper, Meredith Koziol (Waterford, N.Y.), resulted in the eventual game winning goal by the Highlanders. 

Morrisville nearly pulled even in the final minute and a half of play as they strung together 3 penalty corners, but it was too little too late as the Mustangs could not find the back of the cage for the equalizer. 

Koziol made four saves throughout the evening, while freshman Alyx Kirchner (Marathon, N.Y.) backed up her teammate to record a defensive save. 

The Mustangs return to conference play at 4:00 PM on Friday, October 7 against SUNY Geneseo. 

Morrisville State College's curricula are enriched with applied learning and pave the way for opportunity at both the Morrisville and Norwich campuses. An action-oriented, interactive learning lab, the college is a national leader in technology and has been lauded for its exemplary, innovative and effective community service programs. 

The college was ranked among the Best Regional Colleges in the North by U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges 2016 issue and was also recognized in the Top Public Schools, Regional Colleges North in the 2016 Best Colleges rankings. For more information about Morrisville State College, visit www.morrisville.edu.

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