LANGHORNE, PA- The Highlanders welcomed the CSAC's top-ranked Centenary Cyclones and their high-powered offense to Langhorne Saturday afternoon. After an incredibly taught duel, the Highlanders fell 1-0 when a broken play led to the Cyclones OT victory.
 
The Highlanders came into the contest with an excellent game plan; playing the usually offensively-minded midfielders Katie Ruitto and Sara Hayduchok in more defensive roles, and relying on the speed of Lauren Costa, Sarah Jackson, and Brea Zellner to create chances. After two shots from the Cyclones in the first 6 minutes, the Highlanders defense found their footing as Tori Ruitto and Carly Eubank continually arrived at just the right moment to thwart Centenary's excellent forwards Amanda Benoit and Chloe Christopher. The Highlanders saw the best chances of the half as Katie Ruitto fired two shots from her powerful right foot that were parried away, and Hayduchok also curled an excellent shot that was saved at the last moment. With very little on the stat sheet but a great deal of action on the pitch, both teams entered the half in a 0-0 tie.
 
After a relatively quiet first half, keeper Mackenzie Paugh was tested in the opening frames of the second half. The senior continually rose to the challenge, saving each shot, and proving why she has consistently been rated the CSACs top keeper in the 2018 season. After a few speculative shots from each team, the second half ended the same as the first and we remained goalless in Langhorne. The Highlanders are no strangers to extra time as this afternoon's contest marked their 6^th overtime match of the season. The first couple minutes of OT passed without much ado, until the 96^th minute when a Cyclone throw in squeaked through the center of the Highlanders defense, forcing Paugh to come charging off her line. Paugh's quick instincts and a recovering Tori Ruitto stopped the Cyclones first attempt, however, Centenary's Amanda LeBelt found Chloe Christopher in space and the forward fired into the open net for the game winner.
 
Despite the loss, this afternoon's match proved Cairn's mettle as the Highlanders went toe-to-toe with Centenary and proved their mettle with the CSAC playoffs looming just over the horizon. Cairn will travel to La Plume, PA for their last regular season match against Keystone College, before the playoff opener on Monday, October 29^th.