SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – The Union College field hockey team held a pair of leads against its nationally ranked opponent on Wednesday night, but NFHCA #16 Babson College scored the final three goals of the game to escape Frank Bailey Field at Bertagna-Class of 1985 Stadium with a 4-2 win in the Dutchwomen's 2019 season finale.
 
Union (6-10) more than held its own with the nationally ranked Beavers, taking a lead on Babson for only the second and third times during its current 11-game winning streak. Senior Charlotte Leyland gave Union those two leads with her eighth and ninth goals of the season, both times off passes from freshman Jill Bove.
 
The Dutchwomen outshot Babson 4-1 during a scoreless first quarter of play, playing primarily in the offensive end and keeping pressure on the visitors' defense. Union struck first 2:13 into the second stanza on its fourth penalty corner chance, as Bove dished off to Leyland for a blast from the top of the arc.
 
Although Babson (16-3) responded four minutes later to tie the score, the home team came out of halftime and scored on another penalty corner, as Bove stickhandled inside the arc and fed Leyland for a shot that caromed off a body in front and into the net.
 
Unfortunately the Babson offensive attack proved to be too much for Union in the latter stages, as Tori Roche scored her second of the game to tie the score with 5:58 remaining in the third quarter and Lauren Curley scored twice in 1:39 midway through the fourth to allow Babson to escape with the win.
 
Junior Heather Poisson made five saves, as Union was outshot by a 15-9 margin.
 
Wednesday's game marks the final collegiate contest for Union's five seniors: Leyland, Brooke Cleveland, Quinn Relihan, Jenna Smith and Sarah Wilkinson.