SCHENECTADY, NY – Despite first career goals from
Molly Garrett (Ridgely, MD) and
Jackie Koetteritz (Breckenridge, CO), the Union College women's hockey team lost a tight game to Boston University, 4-2, in non-conference action Sunday afternoon at Messa Rink.
The Dutchwomen (4-8-0, 0-4-4 ECACHL) jumped out to a quick 2-1 advantage 15 seconds into the third period on Garrett's first career tally. She set up at the top of the slot and took a pass from
Maeve Kehoe (Chelsea, QUE). Kehoe then turned and positioned herself to set a screen in front of Boston goalie Melissa Haber. Garrett fired a slapshot through the screen, beating Haber on the stick side for the lead.
The Terriers (9-4-1, 3-4-1 HEA) were quick to respond as less than 30 seconds later Julie Poulin fired a shot from the top of the left circle that Union netminder
Alex Zirbel (Clearwater,FL) stopped, but was unable to control the rebound. Gina Kearns collected the puck in front and put the puck passed a downed Zirbel.
Boston took the lead at the 11:15 mark when a scramble ensued behind Zirbel's net. Zirbel dove to try to cover a loose puck, but Jonnie Bloemers collected the puck and sent a pass into the front of the net that connected with Nicki Wiart who did not miss on the wide open net. Boston later added an empty net goal to complete the scoring.
Union started the scoring in the second period on a power-play score from
Koetteritz. She waited patiently at the top of the right zone as Kehoe passed the puck along to
Amanda Rucinski (Rochester, MN). Rucinski sent the puck back to Koetteritz who took one step in and fired a wrist shot that beat Haber high on the glove side. Boston answered on a power play when Erin Seman collected a rebound shot and poked the puck past Zirbel.
The first period featured up and down action on the ice. Union was unable to capitalize at the 1:26 mark when
Megan Beck (Niskayuna,NY) sent a pass along the right boards from her own zone to a streaking
Suzy Pocock (Sterling Heights, MI). Pocock broke into the Terrier zone with no defenders in front of her, faked right on the goalie and went to the backhand on the left, but Haber made a sliding pad save for the stop. Zirbel stopped 16 shots in the period while Haber had 8 saves to end the period in a scoreless deadlock.
Zirbel finished the game with 35 saves for Union while Haber stopped 16 Dutchwomen shots.
Union returns to ECAC Hockey League action next weekend, hosting Colgate on Friday, December 1, in a 7 p.m. game. Union takes on Cornell on Saturday, December 2 at 4 p.m.
