ALFRED, NY  -- The Alfred University women's lacrosse team fell in Empire 8 action to Houghton College 14-8 on Saturday afternoon at Yunevich Stadium.
 
The Saxons (0-4, 0-2 E8) fell behind the Highlanders (4-4, 2-1 E8) after scoring three of the first four goals of the game. Senior Kaitlyn Button (Cazenovia, NY/Cazenovia) assisted freshman Miranda Gilbert (Watertown, NY/Watertown) with AU's first goal of the game at 27:52 of the first half.
 
Button would find net just under two minutes later for a solo goal before Houghton got on the board with a Chandler Jones score at 25:13. Button responded with another solo scoring shot at 24:38 that led to the Highlanders piling on four, consecutive goals to give the visitors a 5-3 lead with 13:18 left in the first half.
 
Button ended the run with her third, unassisted goal of the game at 10:55 with the Highlanders tacking on four more goals for a 9-4 halftime lead.
 
The Highlanders then opened the second half with an unassisted goal from Alyssa Strom, followed by an AU goal off of a Gilbert-Button connection, making it a 10-5 Houghton game.
 
The Saxons got a scoring spurt of their own that started at 14:40 with Button scoring her first assisted goal of the game off a pass from sophomore Megan Wendt (Grand Island, NY/Grand Island). Button garnered two more helpers to her tally with goals from Gilbert at 9:37 and Wendt at 6:59. The three-goal spree brought the Saxons within five, 8-13. Unfortunately, the Highlanders slowed play down on offense and played determined defense, stalling the Saxon comeback.
 
Houghton added one more goal before the final buzzer and ended on the 14-8 conference win.
 
Both teams featured one goalie for the entire 60 minutes. Alfred University's freshman Shannon Gray (Rochester, NY/Churchville-Chili) totaled 15 saves while Houghton's Kourtnie Franklin made 12.
 
The Saxons were outshot 39-24 (29-20 on goal) but edged the Highlanders in ground balls 26-25. Houghton held the advantage in draw controls 13-11.
 
Alfred University will host Hilbert College in non-conference action on Wednesday, April 1 at 4:00 pm. They then go on a five-game road series.