BOX SCORE

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. - Less than one minute into the non-conference match against the University of Maine, senior Lauren Cromartie gave the Union College women's ice hockey team a 1-0 lead. After 65 minutes of play, the Dutchwomen and the Black Bears ended the game with a 2-2 tie and a combined 71 shots on net. Union, playing their final game of 2011, moves to 3-14-2 while Maine holds an overall record of 10-7-5.

Cromartie wasted no time of the first face off of the game, taking advantage of a failed attempt on Maine's part to clear the puck. The Saskatchewan native received a feed from fellow senior Dania Simmonds, and beat netminder Kylie Smith on her glove side at the 19:01 mark. Freshman Alex Tancrell-Fontaine also picked up an assist, earning her first career point as a Dutchwoman.

The Black Bear's offense responded minutes later, scoring a power play goal to tie the game at 1-1. At 16:15, defenseman Brittney Huneke went top shelf on senior goaltend Kate Gallagher after receiving a pass from junior Brittany Dougherty. It was Huneke's third of the season.

Although the Dutchwomen gained two power play opportunities in the first frame, they were unable to capitalize on either with Maine forcing the puck into Union's defensive zone. Simmonds produced the best chance on the 5-on-4 advantage, sending shot that deflected off of junior Rhianna Kurio directly in front of Smith. The junior was solid in net, though, making back-to-back saves on Kurio and senior Molly Kate Devin.

The second period began with an immediate scoring opportunity for Maine's Jennifer More. Dougherty was able to take hold of the rebound and sent the puck at Gallagher, but sophomore Stefanie Thomson locked her up to take power off the shot.

Three minutes in, junior Jeannie Sabourin flew down the ice on a break away, with the Black Bear's defense trailing behind. Making her way to Smith, the forward fired a shot from the left of the net and sent the puck sailing top shelf. The Dutchwomen took at 2-1 lead at the 16:53 mark. Sabourin tallied her third of the season while junior Emma Rambo earned her third assist.

The Black Bears charged back into Union's defensive zone, attempting to tie the game at two. Maine spent over two minutes on an offensive attack, firing shot after shot at Gallagher. More and senior Ashley Norum gave Maine their best chances, but the Union netminder would not budge.

Senior Emilie Arseneault nearly extended the Dutchwomen's lead, streaming down the left side of the ice towards Maine's zone. The veteran fed the puck to Thomson, who took a strong shot at an unyielding Smith. Arseneault jabbed at the goaltender's gloves, but the scored remained 2-1.

At the ten minute mark, Sabourin fed to Devin at the top of the slot. Maine's Dawn Sullivan through herself in front of the shot, blocking the puck and helping the Black Bears regain possession.

The score would move to 2-2 at the 4:24 mark of the second frame, as More received a centering pass from senior Dominique Goutsis. With Gallagher screened, the freshman went five hole on her fifth goal of the season. Dougherty also received an assist, earning her 22nd point of the season.

Despite two power play opportunities for the Dutchwomen, and a 5-on-3 advantage for a minute and a half, the score remained tied after 40 minutes of play. Sophomore Maddy Norton, senior Chelsey Heinhuis and Simmonds produced five shots collectively in the last two minutes, giving Union a large amount of momentum heading into the locker room.

Senior Lauren Hoffman began the third period with a break away opportunity, charging down the ice and ripping a shot off of Smith's pads. Soon after, Union gained another power play opportunity, but failed to produce a goal.

With 11 minutes left of regulation, senior Danielle Ward drove down towards Gallagher while on the power play. Sending a shot at the netminder, Ward caused a collision in front of the net, earning a roughing penalty at 10:29. The two squads would play 4-on-4 until the ten-minute mark, when Norton went to the box for a holding violation. Union now found themselves with a 4-on-3 disadvantage.

After several wide shots from the Black Bears, Rambo was able to clear the puck with 15 seconds left on Heinhuis' penalty. With the senior returning to the ice, freshman Christine Valente dangled through Maine's defense, sending a shot at Smith. Although the puck was saved, Union was able to kill off both penalties and return to even strength with eight minutes left to play.

As time ticked down, Arseneault attacked Smith with two quick shots, nearly taking the lead. However, the Maine goaltender made a huge leg save to deny the Union forward. Norton was able to blast two shots from the point, but both were blocked by the Black Bears' defenseman.

In the last ten seconds, Gallagher stepped up as she made a split save on senior Melissa Gagnon. Time ran out, and the two teams were headed into overtime for the second night in a row.

Penalties riddled the extra frame, with Union taking an interference call with 2:38 left to play. Gallagher denied Ward and sophomore Kelly McDonald back-to-back, holding the score as Maine took a hooking penalty with 1:09 on the board.

Despite a power play for the last 22 seconds and a back hand shot by Hoffman, the overtime period came to an end with a score of 2-2.

Smith made 33 saves, while Gallagher stopped 34 out of 36 shots. Union produced 17 shots in the second period alone, and the squad collectively blocked 18 shots throughout the match.

The Dutchwomen will have a nearly four-week long break, returning to Messa Rink on January 6th to take on Cornell University. In Union's final 15 games of the season, 14 will be ECAC contests.