ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University Field Hockey team was handed a 3-2 non-conference loss on Saturday afternoon against Houghton University.
 
In the first quarter, Houghton dominated much of the possession, but it took until the late stages to produce a result as they scored with just 47 seconds left for 1-0 lead. The second quarter featured much of the same but the Neumann defense held strong to hold the score there through the halftime intermission.
 
The Knights halftime talk was seemingly key as they were able to transition to better offensive opportunities in the third quarter. In that fifteen-minute period, Neumann produced six penalty corners to Houghton's one, but the score remained the same heading to the final frame.
 
As Neumann pushed for the equalizer in the fourth, Houghton was able to counter-punch their way to a 2-0 lead with 12 minutes left. The Knights responded under a minute later a Casey McGee pushed a pass across the goalmouth to Meghan Sheldrick as she deposited home her third goal of the season, pulling them within a goal. Unfortunately for Neumann, the Highlanders regained the two-goal advantage 47 seconds later.
 
A couple of minutes later, Neumann thought they had pulled back with one, but the goal was waved off. With less than five minutes remaining, Jamie Reed took an Elle Smith pass and reversed it in for first goal of the year for a 3-2 game, but that is as close as the Knights would come.
 
Sheldrick, along with her goal, took four shots, all on goal, to lead the Neumann offensive effort. Gabriella Cappelli, Elle Smith, and Molly McGee each took two shots towards goal. Caley Gee was strong in goal, making eight saves in her second straight start.
 
Neumann(1-1) will return to action on Thursday afternoon when they host Lancaster Bible College in another non-conference tilt. The match is scheduled for a 4:00 PM start on the Turf Field.