Schenectady, NY (Oct. 23, 2004) Freshman Ashley Kilstein (Cherry Hill, NJ) scored three goals to lead the Union women's hockey team to a 7-3 win over Sacred Heart in its home-opener Saturday afternoon at Messa Rink.  The Dutchwomen outshot the Pioneers 34-15 and registered three short-handed goals as they improve to 1-2-0 on the season.

Union got off to a slow start as Sacred Heart freshman Katelin McLaughlin scored just 17 seconds into the game.  The early deficit proved to be a wake-up call though as the Dutchwomen answered with five unanswered goals.  Linnea Edwardson (Duluth, MN) tied the game with a short-handed goal at 12:47 off a feed from Stephanie Armstrong (Stoneham, MA), who finished with two assists. 

Following a tally by Jamie Laubisch (Apalachin, NY) with 10 seconds before the first intermission, Kilstein scored the next two goals for Union to make it a 4-1 game.  Elise Nichols (Pittsfield, MA) followed suit with two goals of her own, her second coming short-handed. 

Sacred Heart's final two goals of the game came on the power play before Kilstein wrapped up the scoring with an empty net, short-handed goal to complete the hat trick. 

Union goaltender Amanda Hanson (Brainerd, MN) picked up her first win of the season with 12 saves while Stephanie Boulay made 27 saves in a losing effort for the Pioneers.

Union will host Sacred Heart (0-2-0) to wrap up the two game series on Sunday at 2:00 P.M.