Houghton, N.Y. - The SUNY Poly women's soccer team dropped a 3–0 decision to the Houghton University Highlanders. Despite another standout performance from goalkeeper Samantha Barrett, who recorded double-digit saves to keep the Wildcats in the match, Houghton's relentless attack proved too much to contain. With the loss, SUNY Poly falls to 1–12–2 (0–8 Empire 8) on the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Houghton came out firing, putting SUNY Poly under early pressure with a flurry of blocked shots in the opening 10 minutes. Samantha Barrett was tested throughout the half and delivered several critical stops, including saves on Grace Russell (15') and back-to-back saves on Gracelyn Williams and Elena Esh just past the 25-minute mark.
Houghton broke through in the 11th minute, when Karryne Mims converted from close range off a setup from Jenika Krum to make it 1–0. SUNY Poly responded with an effort from Kara Mertz in the 5th minute and a solid shot on frame from Rylee Unebasami in the 33rd, but Houghton keeper Preslee Miller was equal to the task.
The hosts extended their lead just before halftime, as Samara Hallett capitalized in the 45th minute to make it 2–0 heading into the break, despite Barrett's best efforts and a defensive goal-line clearance by Mertz in the 38th minute to momentarily keep it a one-goal game.
The Highlanders continued their offensive push in the second half, but Barrett remained sharp in goal. She denied Hope Russell in the 53rd minute and again in the 60th, eventually finishing the match with 12 saves. SUNY Poly's best chance of the half came in the 66th minute, when Rylie Fischer fired a shot on target, but Houghton's second-half keeper Lucy Starzyk made the save.
The Wildcats earned three second-half corners, each taken by Fischer, but couldn't capitalize. Meanwhile, Houghton hit the crossbar in the 71st minute and continued to threaten.
The match was ultimately sealed in the 86th minute when Emily Purgason slotted home Houghton's third goal, assisted by Amelia Jones.
UP NEXT: The Wildcats will be on home turf to square off with the Nazareth University Golden Flyers on Wednesday October 22nd at 5:00 P.M.
