LANGHORNE, PA- Coming off a 1-1 tie in their previous contest against Penn State Altoona, the Highlanders women's soccer team took to the pitch in their home opener, seeking their first win of the young 2018 season.

FIRST HALF

The first half began with both teams holding to a defensive mindset. The Highlanders proved their mettle on the defensive end once more, keeping the Neumann Knights at bay for the first twenty minutes.  Neumann applied pressure on the Highlanders back line midway through the first half, accumulating three shots on goal in eight minutes, which forced senior stalwart GK Mackenzie Paugh to make three saves to keep the game deadlocked at 0-0.  The first significant chance for the Highlanders came in the 29th minute, when junior captain Katie Ruitto received a free kick from just outside the box. Ruitto's initial shot was blocked, but Highlander midfielder Lauren Costa got a handle on the rebound, firing a low shot wide right and keeping the game level.  With offensive chances at a premium, neither team was able to muster more than three shots on goal in the first 45 minutes of play. The Highlanders midfield showed great promise, leaning on Ruitto, as well as promising freshman Sarah Jackson to link up and initiate the Highlander offense. However, the Highlanders struggled to find the crucial finishing touch, and both teams headed into the halftime break with the score tied at 0-0.

SECOND HALF

The second half started at a quicker pace, with both teams hoping to capitalize on their fresh legs out of the break.  Neumann nearly broke through with their best scoring chance of the game when Jess Cirone cantered past the Highlander defense, and fired a shot just over the crossbar to keep the game even.  However, the Highlanders were quick to respond, tallying the games first goal in the 53rd minute when talented freshman forward Sarah Jackson slipped through the Neumann defense and fired a shot low past the keeper on the left side to give the Highlanders their first lead of the game, 1-0.  Jackson was not done making an impact, as she played a beautiful through ball to set up fellow newcomer Dakota Hitchner inside the box. Hitchner took one touch before being tackled by the Neumann keeper, and earning a penalty kick for the Highlanders. Captain Katie Ruitto stepped to the mark, making the most of her opportunity by burying the penalty kick on the left side to tally her first goal of the season, and extend the Highlander lead to 2-0 in the 58th minute.  Spurred alive by the deficit, Neumann crept back into the game in the 68th minute when Megan Briggs torpedoed a shot upper ninety to cut the Highlander lead to 2-1. Neumann continued to apply pressure, pushing their midfielders forward in search of a decisive goal to swing the momentum in their favor. However, the Highlanders back line, anchored by veterans Carly Eubank and Sierra Kiekel, remained strong, knocking away each of the Knights attempted chances. When the final whistle blew, the Highlanders had survived the heat and the Knights, and earned a 2-1 win for their first victory of the season over a quality Neumann squad.

WRAP UP

Sarah Jackson was brilliant in the victory, collecting her first goal of the season, and playing a key part in the build up to Katie Ruitto's penalty kick goal as well.  On top of the quality offense, senior Mackenzie Paugh added another solid performance to her already fantastic career as the keeper collected 4 saves of 5 shots on goal en route to the victory.  The Highlanders will be back in action this Saturday when they take on Brooklyn College here in Langhorne, PA. Kick off is scheduled for 2:30 PM.