SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – The Union College field hockey team hung with Ithaca College for almost the entire 60 minutes, but one three-minute span was enough to spell defeat at the Dutchwomen fell by a 4-0 score in the Liberty League opener on Saturday afternoon at Frank Bailey Field at Bertagna-Class of 1985 Stadium.
 
Union (2-5, 0-1 Liberty League) played Ithaca (6-4, 1-0 Liberty League) evenly for most of Saturday's game, but one three-minute period that resulted in three Bomber goals proved to be the difference as the Dutchwomen were unable to find the net.
 
The two teams were very evenly matched over the first 15 minutes of play, with both teams taking four shots and both teams putting two shots on target. The game remained scoreless until the final minute, when Morgan Mullen tipped a long shot from outside the arc into the back of the net for her first of the game.
 
That goal swung momentum in favor of the Bombers, as Mullen added two more in less than two minutes early in the second quarter to give the visitors a three-goal lead at the half.
 
Union outshot Ithaca 6-2 and took four penalty quarters to the Bombers' one in the third quarter, but the home team could not get a shot in the back of the net – except when a penalty corner goal by senior Charlotte Leyland was called back.
 
Ithaca added one more goal in the fourth frame to account for the final score. For the game, Ithaca held a 15-11 edge in shots, with junior Heather Poisson making eight saves and freshman Isabel Lubin adding a defensive save.
 
Union will return to action on Wednesday, when the Dutchwomen host Hartwick College in a non-conference matchup starting at 6 p.m. at Frank Bailey Field at Bertagna-Class of 1985 Stadium.