ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University Field Hockey team were doubled up by Houghton University in their home-opener on Saturday afternoon by a final score of 4-2.
The first quarter of play went scoreless as each team picked up a shot on goal. Within the first 30 seconds of the second, the Knights earned a penalty corner and they made it count.
Ayla Mergen inserted the ball to the top of the circle.
Gabriella Cappelli received it and dropped for
Jess Silver. She pushed a shot towards goal that was deflected in by Mergen for her second of the season and a 1-0 lead. Houghton equalized with just under five minutes left until the break, converting on their own corner.
Five minutes into the third quarter, the Highlander struck for the lead on a point-blank shot. 2:51 later, they made it a 3-1 game on a rebound opportunity from close range. For the duration of the quarter, Neumann pushed to get back in the game, blanking Houghton in penalty corners by a 3-0 margin. With 2:35 remaining,
Natalie Hackett moved into the circle and snuck a short side shot behind the goalkeeper for her first of the year, pulling the Knights within one.
Neumann continued to push for the tying goal as they out shot Houghton 20-10, and outcornered them 14-7. As they kept possession in the offensive third, the Highlanders used a counterattack to re-establish a two-goal lead with less than 10 minutes left in the game.
Cappelli led the Knights' offense with six shots, four on goal.
Brogan Heilig and
Cadence Conti each attempt three shots with Heilig getting all three on cage and Conti getting one on target.
Shannon Roberts made three saves in goal.
Neumann (1-1) will be back in action on Wednesday night when they host Wilson College in non-conference action.
