SCHENECTADY, NY -- The Union College women's ice hockey team improved to 2-2 on the young season by defeating Sacred Heart 6-3 Saturday afternoon. Union trailed entering the third period but scored four times in the final frame to walk away with the victory.
The attack in the third period was started by senior
Elise Nichols (Troy Ice Cats) who tied the game for the Dutchwomen.
Amanda Rucinkski (Shattuck St. Mary's) took a shot from the right corner that was knocked down in front of the net. A scramble ensued with Nichols emerging to poke home the tally. The score would remain tied until late in the third period. With just over two minutes remaining
Brenna Malnar (Honeybaked AAA) received a back door pass from
Lauren Muske (Minnesota Thoroughbreds). Malnar was quick with the puck and snipped home a wrist shot for the lead. The Dutchwomen would add two more goals, one from
Meghan O'Connnor (St. George's), the other from
Dale Chaput (Toronto Midget Aeros AA) in the final 2 minutes of the period.
The second period featured exciting play at both ends of the ice. Both team's defenders were successful in fending off their opponents until 10:03 in the period when Union scored to tie the game at 2 – 2. Chaput won the faceoff to Malner who passed the puck over to
Meagan Beck (Berkshire School). Beck then took a low shot on goal that snuck by goalie Stephanie Boulay. Sacred Heart retaliated at 14:50 with an odd man rush. Devon Gaslin made a nice pass to Gina Arnone who put it in the back of the net for her second goal of the game.
The first period saw back and forth scoring as Sacred Heart jumped out to a 2-1 advantage. At 6:01 Sacred Heart tallied there first goal from sophomore defender Jaclyn Rideout. The original shot by Arnone from the slot was stopped by
Alex Zirbel (Shattuck St. Mary's Prep), but she was unable to pounce on the rebound as Rideout beat her high. Union responded at 8:31 when Nichols skillfully redirected a shot from
Jackie Koetteritz (Colorado Select) that beat the Pioneers goalie on the glove side. Union was unable to capitalize on the momentum and at 12:11 Sacred Heart took the 2 – 1 lead. Arnone streaked out of the penalty box, sneaking behind the defense and received a pass from Whitney Dziama. On the break away Arnone made a pretty move to beat Zirbel to end the scoring in the first period.
Stephanie Boulay stopped 44 shots for Sacred Heart, while Zirbel picked up the win for Union by saving 27 shots.
Union opens its ECACHL schedule next Saturday when they travel to Dartmouth. Puck drop is scheduled for 2:00.
