BOX SCORE
SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – The Union College women's hockey team fell 3-1 to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on Friday at Messa Rink. RPI freshman Eleeza Cox scored with less than seven minutes left to play in the first period to earn the game-winning goal. Union moves to 4-19-4 overall with a 2-11-2 mark in the ECAC, while RPI sits at 7-16-4 and 4-9-2.
Cox's goal came at the 6:18 mark in the opening frame when she received a pass from sophomore Jordan Smelker. Moving to senior goaltender Kate Gallagher's right, the rookie went back hand to give the Engineers a 1-0 lead.
The match started off at rapid pace, with senior Lauren Hoffman stealing the puck at the blue line and dangling in past RPI's defense. Taking a shot at the 19:15 mark, Hoffman was denied by freshman Kelly O'Brien. After sending the rebound directly to freshman Christine Valente, the rookie netminder recovered her position and was able to make the stop yet again.
Union soon found themselves on the penalty kill. Senior Laura Guillemette gained possession and sent a hard shot from the right circle, forcing Gallagher to make an immediate butterfly save. The senior sent the puck wide, giving the Dutchwomen the opportunity to clear.
After killing off the hooking minor, Union was given a 5-on-4 opportunity minutes later when senior Jill Vandegrift was called for body checking. RPI's defense was solid, however, blocking shots from senior Chelsey Heinhuis and sophomore Maddy Norton. The Engineers cleared the puck several times in the final 30 seconds of the penalty, allowing the score to remain at 0-0.
One of Union's best chances came with seven minutes to play in the period, when junior Jeannie Sabourin drove into RPI's defensive zone and fired a shot at O'Brien. The freshman made the save, but found herself facing an abrupt shot from Hoffman. With a kick save, the puck was sent wide and retrieved by RPI.
Seconds later, Smelker and Vandegrift would help Cox light the lamp for the first goal of the game. It was Cox's tenth of the season and Smelker's 15th assist. Despite another power play opportunity for the Dutchwomen, the squad would head to the locker room scoreless.
Union began the second period on another penalty kill after being called for hooking. Smelker nearly extended the Engineers' lead when she hit the crossbar at the 17:32 mark while attempting to go glove side on Gallagher. Receiving the puck seconds later, Smelker took another shot but was blocked by senior Dania Simmonds.
Senior Emilie Arseneault was able to force the puck past the blue line with seconds to go on the penalty, giving her an opportunity for a break away. Although she could not capitalize, the veteran was able to find freshman Kelly McGrath at the top right corner. The rookie took a powerful slap shot at O'Brien, but the netminder was there to make the stop.
RPI took over on offense, producing several scoring chances half way through the frame. Senior Alisa Harrison fed to freshman Taylor Mahoney directly in front of Gallagher, and she attempted to go top shelf on a tough angle. However, the rookie could not get her stick on the puck.
Seconds later Mahoney tried to send the puck above Gallagher's right shoulder, but the senior made a high glove save to keep the game at 1-0. Gallagher had to continue to be strong in net, as the Dutchwomen took another penalty at the 6:30 mark. She received help from Valente and junior Rhianna Kurio, as the two forwards blocked shots throughout the penalty kill to fend off Smelker and senior Sierra Vadner.
Union was able to gain some momentum back when senior Lauren Cromartie stole the puck and flew down the ice on the final seconds of the penalty. She passed to junior Emma Rambo directly in front of O'Brien, but the rookie snagged the puck as Rambo went glove side.
Unable to take advantage of another RPI penalty, the Dutchwomen would head into the final frame with the score still resting at 1-0.
Smelker kicked off the third period by again hitting the crossbar, waking up Union's defense and forcing offense to hustle. Arseneault took hold of the puck, racing down the ice through RPI's defense. Taking a shot from the slot, the senior nearly put one past O'Brien before the senior was able to get her glove up in time.
Hoffman kept the offensive attack moving, sending a backhand pass to Sabourin directly in front of the net. She was shoved while taking the shot, allowing O'Brien to make an easy save. After some battles in the corner, Valente attempted a final wrap around shot but was kept at bay by RPI's defense.
At the 10:04 mark, the Engineers would extend their lead to 2-0 as Smelker tallied her ninth goal of the season with a shot from the right circle. Cox and Vandegrift earned assists. It would be one of three goals scored in the next three and a half minute span.
After Gallagher made an initial save on a glove-side shot by Cox, Vadner would tap the puck in at the 8:07 mark to give RPI their third goal of the night. Notching her third point, Vandegrift earned another assist.
Moments later, Union would finally get on the board when sophmore Stefanie Thomson fed to Norton at the top right corner of RPI's defensive zone. Norton wound up and fired a slap shot directly at O'Brien, who seemingly made the save. However, a second later the puck slid through the freshman's legs to cross the goal line at the 6:35 mark, moving the score to 3-1. It was Norton's first goal of the season.
Despite pulling Gallagher with 1:11 left to play, the Dutchwomen were unable to close the gap in the score. RPI outshot Union 21-17 to earn the win.
O'Brien stopped 16 shots, while Gallagher made 18 saves.
RPI will host the Dutchwomen tomorrow, January 28th, at 3:00 p.m. at the Houston Field House for their final meeting of the season.
