The Lady Cougars (5-5-1, 3-2-1 AMC) entered the match with an 0-9 record all-time against Houghton (7-2-1, 5-1-1 AMC). Even more impressive than their record in the series between the two schools, the Highlanders, who entered the AMC in 2001, have been dominant in the conference having won six straight conference titles and posting a 65-2-3 mark all-time after Friday’s match with both losses coming on the road - one this year at Notre Dame College and one in 2001 at Tiffin University. The tie on Friday was Houghton’s first blemish at home in conference play since October 20, 2001, when the Highlanders had a scoreless draw with Malone University. The other conference tie also came in 2001 at home against Cedarville University.

After a scoreless first half on Friday in which Houghton held a slim 3-2 edge in shots, the Highlanders posted a commanding 11-3 advantage in shots in the second half, but the MVNU defense was able to withstand the charge as the match remained scoreless after 90 minutes of regulation.

In the first 10-minute overtime period, Houghton took two shots to just one shot for the Lady Cougars. Then, in the second 10-minute overtime period, MVNU had an opportunity to win the match with a 4-2 edge in shots, but the Lady Cougars were unable to come up with the ‘golden’ goal.

For the match, the Highlanders led 18-10 in total shots, 8-4 in shots on goal, and 5-0 in corner kicks. MVNU sophomore goalkeeper Jenessa Loewen (above) stopped recorded eight saves to notch her second straight shutout, while Erin Asquith stopped four shots for Houghton.

“I am really pleased with the effort that the entire team gave tonight,” said MVNU coach Jonathan Meade. “(Houghton) is a great program and we played right with them. In fact, the statistics back up the fact that we were playing our best soccer at the end of the match. Our back line was outstanding tonight and along with Jenessa they had their best match of the year so far. We need to build momentum off this performance and carry it over to our next match.”

The Lady Cougars will return to action on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. when the team will travel to Roberts Wesleyan (N.Y.) College for another conference match.