Langhorne, PA- The Highlanders hosted the Panthers of Purchase College on Tuesday, walking away with their first win of the season in a close match up, 13-11.

Purchase(1-3) got the game started with winning the opening faceoff, but Cairn's (1-5, 0-1 United East) defense forced a shot clock violation, turning the tides to go down and score on their first possession thanks to senior attackman Cole Heffler(Eldersburg, MD / Central Maryland Christian) with the assist going to senior midfielder/FO Adain Holliday(New York, NY / Urban Assembly Maker Academy). The momentum continued for the Highlanders as they found a 2nd goal through freshman attackman Ethan Smelcer(Perry Hall, MD / Concordia preparatory school) off a pass from sophomore midfielder Joshua Wong(Newtown, PA / Homeschool). The Panthers were able to get one back in the 5th minute. The remaining 10 minutes of the quarter was lock down defense for both sides as the quarter ended with a 2-1 lead to Cairn.

The 2nd quarter started with an immediate goal 4 seconds in by Heffler to extend Cairn's lead to 2, but was quickly closed back down to 1 as Purchase got a goal 2 minutes later. It didn't take long for Smelcer to extend the lead again off an assist by freshman attackman Brenden Adler. Purchase then went on a run, getting 3 unanswered goals to take the l;ead, 5-4, but a last minute effort from Heffler tied the game at 5 a-piece just before halftime.

Smelcer started off the 3rd quarter strong with a goal, assisted by Adler, within the first minute. The back and forth action continued as Purchase tied it up but Adler set up junior midfielder Luke Fowler to take the lead again for the Highlanders. Purchase didn't give up though, and pushed harder, getting rewarded with the next 3 goals to take a 9-7 lead. Heffler managed to knock that lead to 1 before the end of the quarter. Purchase held the 9-8 lead to end the quarter.

The 4th quarter started as a defensive battle where there were no goals for the first 6 minutes before the Highlanders got a man up opportunity where Heffler converted the chance and tied the game. Purchase retook the lead minutes later but it didn't last long before Holliday tied it up again, but the back and forth continued as the Panthers took the lead once more with 3 minutes left, making it 11-10. The Highlanders captains, Heffler and Holliday team up to tie up the game and retake the lead and end the game with a final score of 13-11.

Heffler took offensive control with 6 goals as Holliday added to the contribution with 3 goals, 2 assists, and 18 ground balls. Smelcer recorded his first career hat trick with 3 goals while adding 2 assists and 6 ground balls recovered.