SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – The Union College field hockey team battled both Mother Nature and William Paterson University on Wednesday evening, dropping a 3-0 contest to the Pioneers at a very soggy Frank Bailey Field.
 
The teams moved up the start time to avoid an approaching storm, meaning that the first half was mostly played under pleasant conditions. Union garnered most of the offensive chances in the opening 35 minutes, outshooting WPU 12-5 and posting a 6-2 edge in penalty corners. However, the Dutchwomen could not capitalize on their opportunities, thanks to part to six saves from Mallory Rickerhauser.
 
Despite Union controlling play for most of the half, William Paterson managed to score on two of its chances and took a 2-0 lead into halftime.
 
The skies opened up late in the first half and stayed that way for most of the second stanza, as the teams battled each other and the at-times torrential downpours. Union again outshot William Paterson (10-8) and added nine more penalty corners to its ledger, but the only goal of the half came from the Pioneers in the 59th minute to complete the scoring.
 
Union finished the game with a 22-12 edge in shots and a 15-6 advantage in penalty corners. Rickerhauser made 12 saves for the shutout win, while sophomore Mary Beth Rudolf had two saves for the home team.
 
The Dutchwomen will get back into Liberty League action on Saturday, when the team travels to William Smith College for a 2 p.m. match with the Herons.