ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Union College field hockey team once again hung tough with one of the Liberty League's top teams, but the University of Rochester scored the game-winner 3:57 into overtime to deal the Dutchwomen a 2-1 (OT) defeat on Friday afternoon.
 
Junior Heather Poisson had another excellent effort in goal for Union (5-9, 1-5 Liberty League), making eight saves to keep her team in the game despite being outshot by a 16-2 margin and facing 15 UR penalty corners.
 
Union did well to limit UR's offensive opportunities to just four shots in the first quarter, but Charlotte Hauser tipped home a shot with 28 seconds remaining to give Rochester (12-5, 5-1 Liberty League) a lead. But the Union defense continued to shine after that, conceding just four shots in the second stanza and only one shot over the third quarter to keep the game within reach.
 
The defensive effort paid off in the final quarter, when the Dutchwomen converted on their best offensive opportunity of the game. With 9:29 remaining, senior Charlotte Leyland put a shot on goal that UR goalie Kate Kujawa stopped, but junior Katie Talacci was there to convert the rebound for her fifth goal of the season.
 
Poisson made two more stops in regulation and added another save early in overtime, but the offensive pressure finally got to the Union defense as Amanda Strenk scored her 10th goal of the year at the end of the 64th minute as Rochester managed to escape with the win.
 
Union will return home on Sunday, when the Dutchwomen celebrate their five graduating seniors with Senior Day before a 3 p.m. contest with William Smith College at Frank Bailey Field at Bertagna-Class of 1985 Stadium.