SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Sophomore Heather Poisson made nine saves and Union College fought off a hard-charging St. Lawrence University side in the second half to earn a 2-1 victory in Liberty League field hockey action on a brisk Sunday afternoon at Frank Bailey Field at Bertagna-Class of 1985 Stadium.
 
Senior Hannah Christian and junior Jenna Smith picked up the goals for Union (6-9, 2-5 Liberty League), who scored twice in the first half and then excelled defensively in the second half to earn the victory and finish the year in a tie for sixth place in the conference standings.
 
Union struck first in the seventh minute with Christian's first goal of the season. After a corner came to senior Allison Cosentino at the top of the arc, she dished off to the senior, who found the net through multiple bodies in front of the SLU cage at the 6:13 mark.
 
The score remained that way until the final three minutes of the half, when Union managed to score again. This time it was Smith netting her first of the year, when she corralled the rebound of a shot by sophomore Laura Wind and beat keeper Sydney Giacin.
 
St. Lawrence (5-9, 2-5 Liberty League) posted a 12-4 edge in shots in the second stanza, but Poisson and her defensive unit stood tall until the very last second. The sophomore turned aside six shots and also got help by a defensive save from senior Lindsay Barson to secure the win, even though the shutout was spoiled with a single second on the clock thanks to a penalty-stroke goal from Lucy Stillman.
 
For the game, the Saints recorded a 17-13 advantage in total shots and also took 12 penalty corners to Union's four.
 
Union will close out the season with a pair of non-conference games next week, beginning on Wednesday with a 6 p.m. matchup against SUNY Brockport at Frank Bailey Field.