SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The Union College field hockey team had its postseason hopes dashed with a 4-0 loss to Skidmore College on Friday afternoon at Wagner Park.
 
The loss eliminated Union (5-9, 1-5 Liberty League) from playoff contention with one conference match to go. Skidmore (7-9, 2-4 Liberty League) moved into a three-way tie for fifth place in the conference with the win.
 
Union fought off an opening flurry of offense from Skidmore to start the match, with sophomore Heather Poisson turning aside a pair of shots in the first 101 seconds. The first four shots of the match came off Skidmore sticks before junior Charlotte Leyland forced a save with her attempt in the 17th minute.
 
Poisson did well to keep Skidmore off the scoreboard for the remainder of the half, making seven saves to keep the match scoreless headed into intermission. The home team held a 9-3 edge in shots after 35 minutes.
 
Skidmore opened the scoring in the 40th minute on its fourth penalty corner of the match, with Grace Florsheim lifting the ball into the top corner at the 39:05 mark. Union had chances to even the score in the subsequent minutes, but the Thoroughbreds added to their lead in the 53rd minute and tacked on two more later in the half.

Poisson finished the game with eight saves, as Skidmore posted a 17-9 edge in total shots.
 
Union will close out Liberty League play on Sunday, when the Dutchwomen host St. Lawrence University for a 3 p.m. match at Frank Bailey Field at Bertagna-Class of 1985 Stadium.