Canton, NY – The SUNY Canton women's soccer team fell behind early and had to play the second half a player down as they dropped a 4-0 result to visiting Houghton College in a lightning-shortened contest on Thursday.

The Roos (6-5-2) were whistled for a foul 13:38 into the opening half when Rebecca DiNardo (Ottawa, ON) appeared to have possession and was knocked down but was called for an infraction. Sarah Gabriele stepped up and put home the penalty kick one second later into the lower right corner.

Four minutes later Gabriele delivered a beautiful lob up the middle to put Bethany Kukien in on the breakaway but Roo keeper Kelsi Gilbert (Colton, NY) came charging to make a great save resulting in a corner kick.

SUNY Canton received a second yellow card on a foul right at the end of the second half that sent off a player as the Roos would have to play the second half with just 10 players. Houghton held a 4-0 shots on goal advantage and 1-0 lead on the scoreboard heading to intermission.

The Highlanders (6-5-2) took advantage of the one player edge just 1:36 into the second half off a set piece. Gabriele took the corner kick from the far side of the field and found Bailey Shattell eight yards out who redirected a header into the upper left corner.

Houghton tacked on a third score in the 56th minute when Shattell played a beautiful cross from the right side to Jenny Zacchigna at the far post who finished into the lower right corner.

The Highlanders scored once more before the game was called due to lightning in the 72nd minute. NCAA rules dictate that as long as 70 minutes of play are completed the game can be officially declared over.

Gilbert made four saves in net for the Roos, while Shawna Sprout played the first 69:19 in net without facing a shot.

The women's soccer team is back in action on Sunday when it visits Albany College of Pharmacy at 3 p.m.