The Keuka College Field Hockey team lost 5-1 to Houghton University on Wednesday at the Jephson Community Athletic Complex in an Empire 8 game.
Keuka College (1-12, 1-5 Empire 8) got 17 saves from Jordan Nichols (Deposit, N.Y. / Afton). Kirstin Billings (Hilton, N.Y. / Hilton) scored for the Wolves.
The Wolves had three early corners in the opening 72 seconds for a chance to take an early lead, but they could not generate a shot off the opportunity. Play flipped to the other end of the field and Houghton took the lead with a goal four minutes into the game. Nichols made four saves in the frame, but the Highlanders added a goal in the final minutes to lead 2-0 after one.
Keuka College withstood pressure from the Highlanders in the second quarter. Jordan Nichols added seven saves to her total in the frame. The Wolves cut the margin to one in the quarter. A restart in the Keuka end resulted in Tori Nelson (Vernon Center, N.Y. / Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) sending the ball all the way down the field. Kirstin Billings was running the right alley and outran the Houghton defenders. She got to the ball near the end line and cut into goal. She was able to sneak the ball through the five-hole of the goalie to make it 2-1. However, the one-goal game was short-lived for the Wolves. Houghton scored 84 seconds later to reestablish a two-goal lead.
Houghton University had an 11-0 advantage in shots in the third quarter. The Wolves had a 2-1 edge in corners but were unable to get a shot against the Highlanders. Houghton scored with a minute left to take a 4-1 lead into the final quarter.
The Highlanders saw the game out in the final frame. They added a goal and continued on to defeat the Wolves 5-1 on Wednesday.
KC Notes:
- Keuka College falls to 0-9 against Houghton University. Despite the record, Keuka has only been shutout once against the Highlanders
- With her goal, Kirstin Billings moves into a tie for second on the career goals list at Keuka College with 22. The senior sits one behind the school record of 23 set by Alyssa Orsino ’19
- Tori Nelson recorded her 20th career assist becoming just the second player for the Green and Gold to amass 20 in a career
- Jordan Nichols upped her season total to 144 saves, fifth-most in a season in program history
- Ashley Pospiech (Fairport, N.Y. / Fairport) had a pair of defensive saves in the third quarter for the Wolves
Up Next for Keuka College: The Wolves have a week off before their final home game of the 2024 season. Keuka College will host Elmira College next Wednesday under the lights at the Jephson Community Athletic Complex. Before the 7 p.m. game will be the annual Senior Day Celebration for the team where the graduating class of 2025 will be honored.
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