SCHENECTADY, NY -- First year forward Katherine Talacci scored a goal and an assist as the Union College field hockey team won the Liberty League opener, 3-1 over Ithaca College at Frank Bailey Field Saturday. The Dutchwomen improved to 2-3 on the young season and the Bombers (4-3 overall) fell to 0-1 in the program's first season in the Liberty League.

Marissa Tarashuk and Alexa Puleio scored the other goals for the Dutchwomen, while Laura Wind added an assist. Freshman goalkeeper Heather Poisson made 12 saves for the Dutchwomen.

Meg Dowd scored the lone goal for Ithaca, while Savanna Lenker made six stops.

This was a tale of two different games. Ithaca dominated the first half, outshooting Union 11-1, but Poisson kept it close with 10 saves. Dowd's goal was the only score of the half, as she converted her own rebound close in front at 7:12. Ithaca also had a 6-1 advantage in penalty corners in the first half.

But in the second half, Union did not allow an Ithaca shot until 62:07, and wound up with a 14-1 advantage in the half and 15-12 for the game. Puleio's first of the year at 36:36 came off a feed from Talacci to tie the contest at 1-1. Union got the eventual game winner at 50:49 as Wind to a pass off the corner and found the freshman for Talacci's second of the season. Union added insurance as Marissa Tarashuk scored at 54:05 on a penalty stroke.

Union also had an 11-1 advantage in corners in the second half and 12-7 for the game. Charlotte Leyland hasd six shots and four on net for the Dutchwomen while Maria McGloin's three shots were all on net for Ithaca.

The Dutchwomen have a non-league road game at William Paterson on Wednesday then return home for a Liberty League game vs. Skidmore Saturday at 2 p.m.