Pioneers Fall in Hard Fought Battle with Houghton

The Alfred State women's soccer team wrapped up the regular season on Tuesday with a hard fought battle with cross county rival Houghton. The Highlanders scored a first half goal and held on for the 1-0 victory.

Jessica Beattie scored the lone goal of the game 16:48 into the contest when she dribble around the defender and fired a shot to the far top corner. Houghton had chances to add to the lead but Allison Danielak (Brockport) made several goal saving stops.

The Pioneers best scoring chance came in the final seconds of the 1st half when Chloe Cox (Tucson, AZ) sent a corner kick into the box. The pass was headed toward the net and appeared to be heading into the net until a Highlander defender headed it out of trouble.

Both teams recorded six shots in the 1st half and Houghton held a 4 to 2 shot advantage in the 2nd. 

Sadie Dunnett made two saves in 77 minutes to earn the victory. Rachael Fortney played the final 13 minutes to preserve the victory. Danielak made six saves for the Pioneers.

Prior to the game the coaching staff honored six players, Danielak, Cox, Taryn Dechow (Randolph), Brooke Geibel (Arkport), Alison Winchester (Maple Grove), and Kylie Newman (Waverly), who were playing in their final home contest at Alfred State. 

The Pioneers (10-4) now shift their focus to the ACAA Tournament. The blue & gold are the #1 seed and will take on #4 Valley Forge on Saturday at Noon in Phoenixville, PA. The winner will advance to the championship match vs. the winner of SUNY Canton and Mills (CA) College.