SCHENECTADY, NY – Sophomore forward Lizzy Moran (Unionville, PA) scored three goals and assisted on another to lead Union to a 6-0 field hockey win over Hamilton Saturday at Frank Bailey Field. With the victory, the Dutchwomen clinched fourth place and the final slot in the upcoming Liberty League Tournament that will be hosted by William Smith. Union improved to 11-5 overall and 4-3 in the league, while Hamilton fell to 4-9 overall and 2-5 in the Liberty League.
Moran, who now leads the Dutchwomen with 10 goals on the season, opened the scoring just 8:31 into the contest when she picked up a rebound close in front. She assisted on the second score, at 12:49, feeding forward Keelin Skurek (Massillon, OH) on the right side of the net, as Skurek notched her second goal of the fall. Union made it 3-0 at 19:39 as Kelsey Powers (Naples, ME) took a pass from Shannon Brady (Bernardston, MA), who was at the top of the circle, and scored her ninth of the season.
Moran scored the final two goals of the first half. Her ninth of the year came when she picked up another rebound on the left of the net, and #10 came when she made an impressive deke of the keeper from seven yards out. Mallory Mason (Southborough, MA) fed Moran from 10 yards out in front.
Union closed out the scoring with the only tally of the second half. Anne Hanson (White River Junction, VT) set up the pass from a corner, and left it nicely for Alexander King (Chester Springs, PA), who fired in her second goal of her freshman season.
The Dutchwomen outshot the Continentals, 23-2, and had a 14-4 advantage in corners. Hamilton goaltender Sarah Bray (Rockville, MD) made 13 saves. Union starter Liz Stanford (Acton, MA) played the first 21:29 in the nets, and freshman Sarah Rios (Queensbury, NY) got to see action for 48:31. Neither player was called upon to make a save.
Union has qualified for the Liberty League Tournament for the first time since 2005, when the Dutchwomen were also seeded fourth and lost to top seed and host William Smith. The Dutchwomen will once again face the Herons in the first round, and lost a 2-1 overtime contest in Geneva on October 5 this season. Union hosts SUNY Oneonta Thursday to close out the regular season, home at 4 p.m. Hamilton also plays the Red Dragons next, October 30 at Oneonta. The Liberty League tourney will be held November 2-3.
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