SCHENECTADY, NY – The Union College women's hockey team picked up its first win of the season, handing Sacred Heart a 3-2 loss in non-conference action at Messa Rink Friday evening. With the win, the Dutchwomen snap a 14-game winless streak, and improve to 1-2-0 on the season. Sacred Heart drops to 0-1-0 after dropping its season opener.
Union College rookie
Brenna Malnar (Soughgate, MI) put the Dutchwomen on the board at 6:43 of the opening period.
Dale Chaput (Burlington, ONT) drew the faceoff, then passed across the slot to Malnar, who redirected the puck under the leg of Sacred Heart goaltender Stephanie Boulay.
Senior captain
Kelly Lannan (Winchester, MA) gave the Dutchwomen a 2-0 lead midway through the second period as she one-timed a pass from
Suzy Pocock (Sterling Heights, MI) past Boulay.
Union outshot Sacred Heart 26-11 through the first two periods and put six shots on net during four power-play opportunities in the second, but couldn't slide one by Boulay.
The Pioneers powered out of the locker room to start the third period as Gina Arnone found a loose puck in front of the net and slipped it past Union goaltender
Alex Zirbel (Clearwater, FL) at 4:42.
Union again took a two-goal lead less than four minutes later as
Amanda Rucinski (Rochester, MN) tipped in a Meaghan O'Connor blast from the point. The goal marked the first of Rucinski's collegiate career.
Arnone struck again at 11:26 of the third on a penalty shot awarded due to a Union player covering the puck in the crease. Arnone took her time bringing up the puck and flipped a backhanded shot over Zirbel's left shoulder to cut Union's lead to 3-2.
The Pioneers had several chances in the third to even the score, as they outshot the Dutchwomen 12-10 in the final stanza. An ice-length pass from Devon Gaslin to Arnone, who was waiting at the blueline, threatened to knot the game, but Zirbel quickly poked away the puck, denying Arnone the hat trick.
Zirbel made 21 saves in her first win of the season, while Boulay made 33 for the Pioneers.
The Dutchwomen are back in action on Saturday afternoon, facing Sacred Heart at Messa Rink at 2 p.m.
