LANGHORNE, PA— Highlanders battled it out against Penn College on Saturday in their first United East matchup of the season, ending in a 1-1 draw. 
 

Cairn (1-5-3 / 0-0-1 UNITED EAST) and Penn College (5-4-1 / 0-0-1 UNITED EAST) were in a battle from the start, neither side was willing to give up a score. The Wildcats started of early with a shot in the first minute, but sophomore goalkeeper Evan Aubrey (Cherry Hill, NJ / Cherry Hill West) was up to the task with a solid save. The Highlanders pushed back, with the next three attempts on goal in the match. The half ended with Cairn having 5 shots to Penn College's 3 shots, both teams failing to convert, heading into the half with a deadlock score of 0-0. 

The second half started off strong for the Highlanders, getting 4 shots off before the turning point, when junior forward Alijah Miller (Monroe, NC / Homeschool) broke the stalemate with a goal in the 59th minute, assisted by freshman forward James Papanikolaou (Cape May, NJ / Atlantic Christian). The Wildcats found a surge of energy and pressure, getting off 5 shots in the next 10 minutes while holding the Highlanders to only 1 shot. Penn College found the opportunity they needed; they found the net in the 77th minute to level the game at 1 goal a-piece. Freshman Forward Zane Wheeler got a final shot off in the 89th minute, but the Wildcats goalkeeper was able to make the save. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. 

Miller netted his 5th goal of the season while Papanikolaou secures his first collegiate assist. 

Cairn will host Valley Forge for senior night on Wednesday, October 1st at 7pm.