SCHENECTADY, N.Y. -- Union moved into a tie for first place in the ECAC Hockey Standings with a 6-4 win over fifth-ranked Quinnipiac before a home crowd at Messa Rink on Saturday evening.  The 11th-ranked Dutchmen also extended their winning streak to seven games while remaining unbeaten (4-0) against ranked opponents.

Union (10-3-2/7-1-0) has earned 14 of a possible 16 points in the chase for the Cleary Cup, and now own a share of the top spot with Quinnipiac (13-3-3/6-2-2).

Union's freshmen class played a significant part in the win, as Michael Pontarelli (2g-1a), Eli Lichtenwald (2g-1a) and Mike Vecchione (1g-2a) accounted for five of the team's six goals.  Sophomore Matt Wilkins provided the game-winner at 14:31 of the third period on a tip-in off Lichtenwald's centering pass.

The Garnet and White were outshot the first two periods, but responded with a 12-5 shot total in the third to finish with a 30-24 edge.

The Dutchmen opened a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes on Vecchione's rebound of a Sebastien Gingras shot at 4:42.  After Bryce Van Barbant scored on the power play at 18:33, Pontarelli answered by stuffing home a rebound at 19:38.

The Bobcats tied the contest at 2-2 in a most unusual manner.  With Union skating with an extra attacker and an open net due to a delayed penalty whistled on Quinnipiac, the Dutchmen put a puck into their own net at 3:51.  Since he was the last Quinnipiac to touch the puck, goaltender Michael Garteig was credited with the goal.  The mistake was quickly forgotten however when Lichtenwald put the home team back in front on a wrist shot from the slot at 5:48 of the middle period.

The third period saw Quinnipac score twice in a span of 62 seconds on goals from Travis St. Denis and Kellen Jones, giving the Bobcats their first lead of the night at 4-3.  Pontarelli scored 41 seconds later to knot the game at 4-4, setting up the exciting finish.

Union returns to action this Wednesday, hosting Dartmouth at Messa Rink in a 7:00 p.m. faceoff.