HOUGHTON, N.Y. -- The Washington & Jefferson field hockey team held a halftime lead but fell by a 4-2 score to host Houghton College in an Empire 8 conference game Saturday afternoon.

The Presidents opened the scoring with an early goal in the fourth minute. W&J capitalized on a penalty corner opportunity as Lina Crowley (Potomac, Md./The Bullis School) found the back of the net after an insert pass from Camryn Cresci (Wilmington, Del./Alexis I. DuPont). 

The hosting Highlanders answered midway through the second quarter as Jace Hunzinger scored off of an assist from Peyton Bentley. The Hunzinger goal evened the score at 1-1 in the 21st minute.

W&J regained the lead immediately after with a quick response goal by Cresci. The sophomore scored off a pass from classmate Ella Phillips (Arnold, Md./Broadneck). The goal was the eighth of the season for Cresci. 

Houghton came out of the halftime and immediately tied the score at 2-2 as Bekah Davie scored 1:32 into the third quarter.

The score remained tied until late when the Highlanders tallied a pair of goals to secure the No. 3 seed in next week's Empire 8 Tournament. Elzandie Du Plessis scored with 2:04 remaining and again with 1:49 seconds remaining which would lead to the comeback win for Houghton. 

Hougton held advantages in shots (15-9) and shots on goal (12-5) while the penalty corner category was held even at nine apiece. 

Anastasia Godat (Baltimore, Md./Concordia Preparatory School) finished with seven saves in 60 minutes of work. 

W&J will now be on the road for the Empire 8 Conference Tournament as they have the No. 5 seed and will  face No. 4 seed Utica on Wednesday, Nov. 2. Start time is to be determined.