SCHENECTADY, NY - The Union College Dutchwomen defeated RPI for the first time since 2012 this evening, in 2-1 fashion at Messa Rink.

Both teams came out of the gates moving fast and hard. Union had 10 shots on goal as opposed to RPI's six in the first period. Despite the aggressive first 20 minutes of play, both teams headed into the first intermission stuck at a 0-0 stalemate.

With 8:03 left to go in the second, Union earned a power play. RPI showed their strengths in the team's special teams unit. Within the first minute of the power play, the Engineers managed to earn two breakaways and get four one-on-one shots off onto net minder Coco Francis. Despite the challenge, Francis came up with four clutch saves for the Dutchwomen. 

Katelynn Russ managed to score with just nine seconds left on the power play to give Union the 1-0 lead. Megan Ryan and Cheyenne Harris assisted Russ on the goal.

Less than three minutes later, Harris earned the puck off the boards and got a shot off. RPI's goalie saved the shot but Harris rebounded her own shot and was able to net the puck to give Union a 2-0 advantage, heading into the final period of play. 

Union earned another power play with 11:51 left in the game. Despite the advantage, RPI continued to prove its strength with their penalty kill unit and earned another breakaway. However, Francis, once again, shut the lone Engineer down.

Right under the three-minute mark, RPI went on the power play and pulled its goalie to give the Engineers the six-to-four skater ratio. With two seconds left on the power play and 56 seconds remaining in the game, RPI took advantage of the skater ratio and scored. However, it wouldn't be enough to defeat the Dutchwomen as Union held onto the 2-1 lead for the win. 

Union and RPI will return to action tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. for the inaugural women's Mayor's Cup at the Times Union Center in Albany.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• With Russ' goal, she extends her scoring streak to four games. The sophomore has five goals in Union's last four games. 
• Russ' point tonight brings her to 15 points in ECAC play this season. With those points, Russ now holds the record for most ECAC points scored in a single season, in program history.
• First year Ryan assisted Russ on tonight's goal. Three of Russ' last four goals have featured a Ryan assist. Likewise, Ryan's last goal against Cornell featured a Russ assist. 
• Ryan also extends her scoring streak to three games. She has four points in Union's last three games.