Milford, CT (Feb. 5, 2005) Union avoided equaling its longest winless streak of 20 games from last season with a convincing 5-1 win over Sacred Heart Saturday afternoon at the Milford Ice Pavilion. Sophomore Stephanie Burlton (Coquitlam, BC) recorded her first career hat trick to lead the Dutchwomen to their third win of the season over the Pioneers. It was the first game Union recorded five or more goals since a 7-1 win in the last meeting between the two teams as they improve to 4-21-1.

Union came out firing in the first period, holding a 17-8 advantage in shots. Sophomore Elise Nichols (Pittsfield, MA) had a short handed chance at 11:18 after intercepting the puck in the Sacred Heart zone but goalie Stephanie Boulay was able to come up with the stop.

Later in the period Union pressured the Pioneers net four shots in a 48 second span. Freshman Stephanie Armstrong (Stoneham, MA) sent a shot into Boulay's midsection during the rush. It would be Stephanie Burlton (Coquitlam, BC) though coming up with the goal at 19:48 to give the Dutchwomen their first lead in a game since Ashley Kilstein's (Cherry Hill, NJ) tally in the first period at Cornell on November 12th. Burlton took a feed in front from Armstrong who was at the top of the left face-off circle and beat Boulay with a low shot.

Union continued to battle through the second period and keep Boulay busy. Linnea Edwardson (Duluth, MN) fired a point-blank shot and Nichols tested the net with a back hand shot after breaking in through two Sacred Heart defenders.

Burlton solved Boulay once again with another late period goal at 19:24. Armstrong fed the puck in front to Burlton who snuck it underneath for the 2-0 edge.

Union's defense kept the Pioneers off the scoreboard in the second period. Carli McNeill (Burlington, WI) broke up a breakaway opportunity with a poke check at the blue line.

Smullyan helped her own cause by robbing Shannon Murphy on the doorstep at 16:02. She played the role of thief again 49 seconds into the third period, kicking away a one-timer in front by Sacred Heart's Michelle Panella. Smullyan added to her highlight reel at the 4:00 minute mark of the third period, stopping Panella once again on a breakaway chance off a defensive zone takeaway.

Nichols persistence paid off in the third picking up an unassisted goal at 3:15 after stealing the puck in Sacred Heart's zone. She came across the front of the net and put a deke on Boulay to open up a low shot on the right side.

After a Courtney Chais (Plantation, FL) goal at 11:14 made it 4-0, Burlton registered the hat trick 42 seconds later to finish off the Pioneers.

Smullyan's shutout bid was spoiled by Panella at 18:18 of the third. She made 30 saves though to pick up her first win of the season. Boulay made 37 saves before being replaced by Sarah Perry with 8:04 left in the game.