SECOND HALF GOAL LIFTS HOUGHTON PAST EXPRESS

AURORA, N.Y. – The Houghton College Highlanders snapped a scoreless tie in the second half en route to a 1-0 victory over the Wells College Express in field hockey action Saturday afternoon in Aurora. Jillian Watts (Harrisburg, Pa.) scored the lone goal for the Highlanders. Amanda Catalano (Lockport, N.Y.) was sensational in net for the Express finishing with eight saves on the afternoon. With the loss the Express fall to 3-7 while the Highlanders improve to 6-3 on the year.

The Highlanders had the first scoring opportunity of the game early in the first half. With a loose ball in front of Catalano, Ashley Engle (Manheim, Pa.) put a stick on the ball and sent a shot towards the goal but, Catalano made a diving blocker hand save to keep the game scoreless.

Houghton again pressured late in the first half. Watts sent a blast towards the net off a penalty corner but, Catalano was again equal to the task, making an incredible kick save as both teams entered the break tied at zero.

The Highlanders finally solved Catalano in the 48^th minute. A penalty corner shot was blocked out to the top of the circle and on to the stick of Watts, who delivered a rocket through traffic giving Houghton the go ahead goal with 22-minutes to play.

The Express were unable to find their offense against the defense of Houghton, managing just one penalty corner while not registering a shot on goal. The Highlanders pressured from the start, finishing with 25 penalty corners and 16 shots.

The Express return to action on Thursday when the take on Oswego State University at 4 p.m. in Aurora.