Schenectady, N.Y. – Union (10-4) closed out its regular season in convincing fashion with an 18-10 win at home against Oneonta (6-10). Junior Alexandra Toney (Bayville, NY/Locust Valley) and senior Rachel Beckman (Needham, MA/Needham) provided the Dutchwomen with a lethal combination that overwhelmed the Red Dragons. On offense Toney led all players with six goals and nine points while collecting seven ground balls. Defensively Beckman made the most of her final home game with 15 saves in goal, four on free position shots, to pick up the win. For Oneonta Kristin O'Leary and Jessica Garabedian each had two goals.

 

Union scored the first seven goals of the game before the midway point of the first half to jump out to a commanding lead. Toney scored three of her six during that stretch, including the first two. She converted on a free position shot at the five minute mark, 1:43 after posting her first strike. Senior Robyn Ross (Newton, MA/Newton North) capped off the drive with her 14^th goal of the season at 14:23 off a feed from Toney.

 

Oneonta came back with a pair of unassisted goals from Erica Krisak and Rachel Litts to make it 7-2. The Dutchwomen responded with a four-goal run started up by Erin Lawson (Flourtown, PA/Springside) who notched the first two. Toney picked up her third assist as she drew the defense away from the middle of the net where she found Lawson for the low shot.

 

The Red Dragons answered back with three of the next five goals to close out the half. The first two were back-to-back tallies from Kristin O'Leary and Brianne Ruzek. Maybeck found Leary for her 30^th of the season before Ruzek converted on a free position shot at 25:40. Caitlin Cuozzo (Norfolk, MA/King Philip Reg.) scored a pair of free position goals before Garabedian scored her 50^th goal of the season with 28 seconds before the intermission.

 

Union opened up the second half with goals from Ross and Toney. Oneonta got unassisted scores from Maybeck and Jackie Berger to make it 15-7 at 8:08.

 

Sophomore Kerri Messa (Saratoga Springs, NY) scored her fourth goal of the game on a free position shot at 13:08. O'Leary also scored on a free position shot for Oneonta 1:27 later.

 

The Red Dragons scored the final two goals coming from Brittney Tobin and Garabedian.

 

Beckman picked up her seventh win of the season due in part to a spectacular showing in net that saw her make several point-blank saves. Stephanie Burlton (Coquitlam, BC/Milton Academy) replaced Beckman with 18:36 to play in the second half. She made seven saves on 10 shots on goal.

 

For Oneonta Jenna Van Etten made eight saves in the loss.

 

Union held a 14-5 first half advantage in draw controls to finish with a 19-11 edge for the game. Ground balls also favored the Dutchwomen 29-26. They also converted on all five of their free position attempts while the Red Dragons finished two-of-eight.

 

Union begins postseason play in the semifinals of the Liberty League Tournament this Friday, May 5th in a 4:30 p.m. showdown against Skidmore at William Smith College.