SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Sophomore Stefanie Thomson earned the game-winning goal on Saturday at the 5th Annual Pink at the Rink Day. The Ontario native helped the Union College women's ice hockey team pull off a 2-0 win over Yale University for two league points. The Dutchwomen now move to 4-18-4 overall with a 2-10-2 ECAC record, while the Bulldogs fall to 1-19-0 and 1-12-0.

Thomson's goal came just 73 seconds into the second period to give the Dutchwomen a 1-0 lead over the Bulldogs. Senior Molly Kate Devin sent a shot just wide of Yale's Genny Ladiges, forcing the puck behind the net. Thomson instinctively reacted, quickly circling to Ladiges' right. The senior netminder was still down from Devin's initial shot, and the forward fired the puck directly behind her to give Union the advantage.

The Dutchwomen would go on to score again in the third period, but it was Yale that generated the most scoring opportunities. Outshooting Union 34-24 overall, the Bulldogs produced nine shots in the first 11 minutes before the Dutchwomen had a single shot.

The opening frame was defined by special teams, as there were five back-to-back penalties. Yale was first on the power play, gaining a scoring chance when senior Heather Grant fired a shot from the top of the slot towards goaltender Kate Gallagher. The senior quickly sent the puck wide with a kick save, keeping the score tied at zero.

After a shotless power play, Union took three straight penalties. Freshman Stephanie Mock nearly scored for the Bulldogs on a wrap-around play, but Gallagher promptly slid over to cover the puck in time. Soon after, junior Rhianna Kurio would change the momentum for the Dutchwomen. Kurio dangled in past Yale's defense with just under nine minutes left in the first period, passing to Emma Rambo directly in front of Ladiges. The junior went backhand, but the netminder remained solid.

The Dutchwomen went back on the power play at the 6:42 mark. Offense kicked into gear as senior Emilie Arseneault forced the puck deep into Yale's zone with a quick shot. Fellow senior Dania Simmonds would gain possession, sending a slap shot from the top right corner. Ladiges refused to budge, even as freshman Christine Valente tried to force the puck between the senior's right leg and the post.

As Yale returned to even strength, freshman Lynn Kennedy tried to go five-hole on Gallagher, but the senior was too quick. Gallagher was then pelted with back-to-back shots from sophomore Jackie Raines and junior Emily DesMeules. However, both teams returned to their locker rooms with the score at 0-0.

Less than two minutes into the middle frame, Thomson's goal put the Dutchwomen ahead 1-0. Kurio nearly extended the lead when she flew down the ice at the 16:54 mark. The junior fed to freshman Bryanne Panchuk, giving her a breakaway. With the Bulldogs gaining on her, Panchuk passed back to Kurio at center. Kurio blasted a shot at Ladiges middle, allowing her to scoop the puck up for the save.

Yale's defense held the Dutchwomen at one goal, continually blocking shots and forcing the puck into the neutral zone. At the 6:44 mark, Panchuk dropped a pass back to junior Nicole Bartlett at the right circle. Bartlett found senior Lauren Cromartie at center, but Ladiges protected the net with a high glove save. Despite another power play opportunity and a significant amount of time in the Bulldogs' zone, Union would end the second period with 15 shots and still a 1-0 lead.

The Dutchwomen began the final frame on the penalty kill, called for roughing just two minutes in. Gallagher held strong as she received shots from Raines and junior Danielle Moncion. However, Union would lose another skater on a tripping call, forcing a 5-on-3 situation for 11 seconds. The squad killed off both minors, managing to repeatedly clear the puck away from the Bulldogs.

Arseneault and Kurio began an offensive raid on Yale, producing seven shots between the two of them in the third period. After nearly scoring, Kurio was able to draw a penalty on the Bulldogs at the 10:49 mark.

Sophomore Maddy Norton responded quickly as Yale won the faceoff, keeping the puck in their zone by blocking a pass. As a new line came to the ice, senior Chelsey Heinhuis sent a quick pass to fellow senior Dania Simmonds. Although Ladiges made the save off of Simmonds shot from the blue line, she sent the rebound directly to senior Lauren Hoffman. The four-year veteran, waiting patiently to Ladiges right, went top shelf to extend Union's lead to 2-0.

Yale strategically pulled Ladiges in favor of the extra attacker at the 2:58 mark. Despite several skilled shots from senior Aleca Hughes and the final two minutes being played in Union's defensive zone, time ran out to give the Dutchwomen the win.

Ladiges was excellent in the defeat, stopping 22 out of 24 shots. Gallagher earned her first career shut out, making 34 saves.

The Dutchwomen have more than an ECAC win to be proud of. They, along with the Schenectady community, raised almost $3,000 at Pink at the Rink Day!

Union is back at Messa Rink on Friday, January 27th, to take on rival RPI at 3:00 p.m. for another ECAC contest.