The first half of the match was evenly contested as visiting MVNU (6-3-2, 3-1-2 AMC) held a slim 4-3 edge in shots as the teams went to the break in a scoreless deadlock.

Then, in the second half, the Cougars turned up the offensive attack as MVNU out-shot the host Highlanders (5-5-0, 3-2-0 AMC) 18-5 over the final 45 minutes. However, Houghton goalkeeper Erik Lefebvre was able to keep his team in the match as he finished with 12 saves including a couple spectacular ones.

With the match looking like it might head to overtime scoreless, Worrall (left) took advantage of a mistake by the Highlanders as he collected a loose ball from the defense, raced forward on a breakaway, and bent a right-footed shot around Lefebvre with 5:22 to play for the 1-0 victory. The goal was Worrall’s team-leading 11th of the year in 11 matches and the 33rd of his illustrious career.

The Cougars posted a commanding 22-8 advantage in total shots, a 13-4 margin in shots on goal, and a 5-1 edge in corner kicks. MVNU junior goalkeeper Alex Stout registered four saves in posting his sixth shutout of the year and the 18th of his career as he is now just two shutouts shy of the Cougars’ career record of 20 shutouts.

“This obviously was a big road win for us in the conference,” said MVNU coach Paul Furey. “(Houghton) has always been a tough program and we played perhaps our best 90 minutes of the season tonight. Our back line once again was very solid and only gave them a couple of chances with Alex also playing well in goal. Our midfield played terrific. Scott, Chris, Jake, Cody, and Kyle were all over the field creating things and closing things down quickly.”

“However, the story of the match was Adam,” said Furey of his senior forward. “Big players score big goals in big matches and that is exactly what Adam did today. That is why he is a special player. He created chances earlier, but their goalkeeper was sensational tonight and it took a great goal to beat him and that is just what Adam did.”

The Cougars will not have much time to savor the victory as they return to action on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. when MVNU will travel to Roberts Wesleyan (N.Y.) College to take on the Raiders (7-1-0, 5-1-0 AMC), who are ranked No. 20 in the latest NAIA poll.