WASHINGTON, Pa. -- The Washington & Jefferson College field hockey team dropped a 3-2 decision to visiting Houghton University in a non-conference game at Cameron Stadium Saturday afternoon. 

The Presidents and Highlanders, former conference rivals in the Empire 8, battled for 60 minutes before the visitors earned the hard-fought victory. 

Houghton opened the scoring in the first quarter when Cate Westenberger finished in front after a pass was chipped in front near the end line by Jace Hunzinger. The Highlanders maintained their one-goal lead into halftime. 

W&J knotted the score at 1-1 just 59 seconds into the third quarter when Camryn Cresci (Wilmington, Del./Alexis I. DuPont) tapped the ball into the back of the cage from the left post. It appeared the score would remain deadlocked going into the final quarter. However, the Highlanders were able to take advantage of a turnover by the Presidents in the defensive end and score with just 12 seconds remaining in the third. Adria Hartzler finished off a pass from Hunzinger. 

The Presidents would once again net the equalizer early in the fourth quarter. Hailey Wachowiak (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) recorded her 12th goal of her senior campaign. Wachowiak was set up by a lead pass by Lily Giering (Reading, Pa./Exeter Township) just 3:31 into the fourth.

W&J had a chance to take the lead just minutes later when Wachowiak drew a penalty stroke opportunity for the Presidents. Wachowiak was barreled into by the Houghton goalie who came out to try to defend Wachowiak on a one-on-one opportunity. 

However, W&J was unable to go in front as the penalty stroke opportunity by Cresci was saved by Houghton. 

Houghton used a penalty corner opportunity to net the game winner later in the fourth. Hartzler's second goal of the day gave the Highlanders the lead for good with a little more than six minutes to play. 

W&J was able to obtain a penalty corner with 1:49 to play. The Presidents were unable to even the score as the Highlanders held on for the one-goal victory. 

Houghton improves to 10-4 overall while W&J drops to 5-9. 

Houghton out-shot W&J by a 13-9 margin. W&J held an 8-6 advantage in shots on goal. Houghton held an 11-7 margin in penalty corners. 

W&J travels to Meadville, Pa. to face Allegheny College in a non-NCAC match on Wednesday, Oct. 25. Start time is scheduled for 6 p.m.