ABINGTON, PA- The shorthanded Highlanders opened up the 2019 season against the Nittany Lions of Penn State Abington. Cairn battled hard, but with an absence of depth due to the extension of the Cairn women's soccer team, the Highlanders dropped the opener of Head Coach Miriam Hartzler's career 78-45.
 
The Highlanders started out slowly against the Nittany Lions pressure defense but found their footing in the second quarter. Markie Watson made a layup to take the cap off the basket, Melissa Good rumbled to the rim for three straight layups, and Jenna Krage splashed a three pointer during the Highlanders run. The second half started a bit slowly as well, but Cairn shook off the growing pains in the fourth winning the quarter 14-13.
 
Good led the Highlanders with 14 points and 9 rebounds. Victoria Stum trailed just behind with 11 points and 8 rebounds, and Krage finished with 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists. The Highlanders play the University of Valley Forge Tuesday night before hosting the Cairn Classic over the weekend.