LANGHORNE, PA- In part two of Cairn University's homecoming festivities, the Highlanders women's soccer team took to the pitch in hopes of their first CSAC victory of the season against Rosemont College.

Despite the beautiful weather in store for this afternoon, the action was sparse early on, with both teams struggling to piece together passes on the rain-soaked field.  The Highlanders attempted to use the speed of their front line of Lauren Costa, Brea Zellner, and Sarah Jackson to put pressure on the Raven defense, but despite some excellent through balls from midfielders Katie Ruitto and Sara Hayduchok, Cairn could not find their way past the Rosemont backline.  Although quality offensive chances were at a premium, the Highlanders backline and midfield controlled play for the entire half, with defenders Carly Eubank and Tori Ruitto each making a couple piercing runs forward, and Sara Hayduchok and Katie Ruitto controlling the center of the pitch.

The Highlanders were rewarded for their first half dominance quickly in the second half, when Katie Ruitto played a beautiful corner kick into the Dakota Hitchner, who quickly distributed the bouncing ball to Tori Ruitto. Ruitto, who has shown an incredible nose for goal, fired her shot with ease past the Rosemont keeper, giving the Highlanders a 1-0 lead and notching her third goal of the 2018 season.   Cairn kept up the pressure as Lauren Costa and Carly Eubank each fired shots from distance that were parried away by Rosemont's Emma Lindsay.  With the Highlanders backline silencing all attacks around the box, Rosemont's Maciana Mazzeo found the key with a different strategy, surprising the entire crowd with an absolute laser from 30 yards out to tie the game up at 1-apiece in the 79^th minute.  Despite two quality chances in the last five minutes, Rosemont's keeper Emma Lindsay saved shots from each of the Ruitto sisters and the game was headed to overtime.

With tired legs on both sides, the Highlanders were buoyed by the outstanding home crowd, pushing through their fatigue and keeping the ball on Rosemont's half nearly the entire first period of overtime. Their efforts were rewarded in the 100^th minute of play as Sara Hayduchok, who played a truly excellent game, continued to find herself all over the pitch, smashing a bouncing ball past the Rosemont defense and into the back of the net for a dramatic overtime game-winner.

The Highlanders continued their excellent play this season as the OT win improved their record to 4-3-2, and 1-1 in the CSAC.  The Highlanders will be in search of another CSAC victory on Tuesday afternoon when they travel to Chambersburg to take on Wilson College.  Kick off is slated for 4:30 PM.