HOUGHTON, N.Y. – The Neumann University Field Hockey team tried to come back from a three goal deficit against Houghton University on Saturday afternoon but fell by a final score of 3-2.
 
The Knights were stunned early on when Houghton scored the game's first goal after just 25 seconds. That lead extended into the second half of play as Neumann was pinned in their own end for most of the match. Six minutes into the third quarter, the Highlanders doubled their edge as a deflected shot trickled over the goal line. They added another with 1:24 left on a well-executed penalty corner.
 
In the fourth, the Knights worked to claw back into the game. With 6:52 left, on a penalty corner, Ayla Mergen took a pass from Gabriella Cappelli and snuck it in to pick up her first collegiate goal. Less than a minute later, Cappelli scored herself after a penalty corner insert landed on her stick. She moved to her right and slammed home for her first of the season, pulling Neumann within one. Unfortunately for the Knights, they could quite find the equalizing goal.

Cappelli led with a goal and an assist on two shots. Jess Silver also contributed two shots with one reaching the goal. Caley Gee made three key saves to keep Neumann in the game and allowing them to regroup for the comeback attempt.
 
Neumann (1-1) will return to on Thursday afternoon as they'll conclude their season-opening road swing against Lancaster Bible College for a 4:00 PM start.