SCHENECTADY, N.Y. - A goal by sophomore Hannah Wood with 5:34 remaining in regulation enabled No. 6 Smith College (12-1, 3-1) to avoid an upset bid by Union College (5-8, 0-4) and post a 3-2 field hockey victory over the Dutchwomen at Frank Bailey Field on Friday afternoon.

The Herons, who outshot Union by a 25-6 margin, took an early 1-0 lead when junior Alessandra Patrizio scored on a slapper from 17 yards out with only 4:12 elapsed.
A little over eight minutes later, the Dutchwomen bounced back and tied the game at 1-1 when freshman Hannah Christian scored on a rebound off a shot by Laura Pacheco with 12:22 elapsed. It was her second goal of the season.

With 3:10 left in the first half, Patrizio gave William Smith a 2-1 lead when she tallied her 18th goal of the season off a pass from freshman Fallon Adair on the right side.
In the second half, Christian scored her second goal of the game with 15:07 left in regulation, tying the game at 2-2. She scored the tying goal on a tipin as sophomore Bretta Beer assisted.

However, Wood scored off a pass from Patrizio to give William Smith a 3-2 advantage with 5:34 left. From there, the Herons held on to win their third game in a row..
Patrizio led William Smith with two goals and an assist while Christian led the Dutchwomen with a pair of goals.

Goalkeeper Lori Aptowitz led the Union defense by making 11 saves. Junior goalkeeper Biz Chirco started for the Herons and played 55 minutes, allowing two goals and making two saves. Sophomore Emily King played the final 15 minutes, shut out Union the rest of the way.

Union College returns to action on Sunday when the Dutchwomen travel to RPI for a 12 noon game.