SCHENECTADY, N.Y. - The Union women's ice hockey team returned from a three-week hiatus as the Dutchwomen were defeated by No. 4 Harvard 9-0 at Messa Rink Friday evening.

Miye D'Oench started the Crimson scoring, as she was setup by Mary Parker and Hillary Crowe to get the shot by netminder Shenae Lundberg for the 1-0 lead. Union was seeking an equalizer, as Stefanie Thomson was able to find some space in the slot. However, her shot was over the crossbar and off the mark of goaltender Laura Bellamy. Harvard added on to their lead as Samantha Reber found the top-shelf of the right side to make it 2-0.

The Crimson offense came alive in the second as the Crimson scored four quick goals. ECAC Player of the Month for December Jillian Dempsey had two of the four goals in the second period while Michelle Picard and Lyndsey Fry each had a goal of their own. Madeline Dahl came in relief for Lundberg as she made 14 saves in approximately 26 minutes of play.

The Dutchwomen were able to get on the power play as Hillary Crowe was sent to the penalty box for a tripping offense. Union's offense was able to generate shots from Rhianna Kurio, Alex-Tancrell Fontaine and Thomson but Bellamy and the Crimson defense were able to kill of their 37 penalty in 39 chances this season. Lyndsey Fry was able to tack on her second goal of the game with the helper from Jillian Dempsey as the Crimson led 7-0 after the second intermission.

Alana Marcinko started in net in the third period for the Dutchwomen as Madeline Dahl posted 17 saves in 26 minutes played, a career-high. Molly Tissenbaum came in for Bellamy to start the third period, earning her first career game-played. The Crimson was able to add two more goals as Abigail Harris and Kelsey Romatoski extended Harvard's lead to nine with 11:22 remaining. The Dutchwomen were pushing to break the shutout as Tancrell-Fontaine made a low hard shot to the right side but Tissenbaum preserved the 9-0 shutout.

Bellamy was credited with the win as she improves to 6-1-0 on the season while Lundberg was given the loss as her record drops to 4-7-3. Harvard outshot Union 42-13 and held the advantage in faceoffs 26-20.

Union (5-10-3, 0-6-3) will be looking to rebound as the Dutchwomen will host Dartmouth Saturday, January 5 at Messa Rink beginning at 4:00 p.m. Harvard (10-1-1, 8-0-0) will be in action tomorrow as well traveling to Rensselaer to take on the Engineers at 4:00 p.m.