Score: Houghton College 14, Elmira College 10
Records: Houghton (4-4, 2-0 E8), Elmira (1-6, 1-0 E8)
Location: Burke Field -- Houghton, N.Y.
 
HOUGHTON, N.Y. -- The Elmira College women's lacrosse team was unable to overcome a fast start by the Highlanders of Houghton College in Empire 8 Conference action on Wednesday evening at Burke Field in Houghton, New York. The Highlanders scored 10 goals in the first half to take the 14-10 victory.

The Purple and Gold used a balanced offensive effort to make a second-half comeback attempt, as four different EC players logged multiple points in the contest. Rachael Goetz '20 and Sarah Hughson '18 led the way for Elmira with three points apiece, all of which were goals. Danielle Goddard '20 (2g) and Rachel Grampp '18 (1g-1a) each tallied two points. Freshman goalie Kacie Pierce '21 played the entire game and made a season-high 14 saves.

Houghton took the early lead in the contest by controlling the possession in the first half. The Highlanders tallied a whopping 21 shots in the opening 30 minutes, while Elmira was held to just nine. This difference in ball control can also be traced to EC's 12 turnovers in the first half, a number that would drop to just four for the remainder of the tilt.
Despite scoring the first goal of the game, a free-position tally from Goetz a shade fewer than four minutes into the game, EC found itself down 5-1 about eight minutes later. Three first-half scores from Hughson helped keep the Purple and Gold within six goals, 10-4, heading into the halftime break.

Three straight goals by Elmira to start the second half cut its deficit to just three, 10-7, with 26:21 left in the game. Kyra McDonald '18, Goetz and Goddard each scored in the rally. However, a 3-0 push by Houghton again expanded the home team's advantage to six goals, 13-7. EC scored two more times before the end of the contest, but it proved to not be enough, as the Highlanders improved to 2-0 in league play with 14-10 triumph.
 
News and Notes

• With the loss, Elmira falls to 1-6 overall and to 1-1 in E8 play.
• EC has scored double-digit goals in its last two games and four times this season.
• The Soaring Eagles caused four turnovers in the bout, which stands as a season-low for the team.
• Elmira has allowed 10-plus goals in all but one game this year.
• McDonald has scored a goal in six of seven contests this season.
• Goetz has recorded at least one point in all but one game.
• Pierce's 14 saves tonight are a season-high for the freshman.
• Freshman Anna Brewer '21 made her first collegiate start in the bout.

Up Next
The Soaring Eagles return to the Southern Tier for a home conference matchup against the Pioneers of Utica College. The tilt will take place at nearby Ernie Davis Academy at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 31.