SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Taking the field for the first time in 380 days, the Union College women's lacrosse team made it worth the wait as the Dutchwomen defeated St. Lawrence University 18-14 in a Liberty League matchup at Frank Bailey Field at Bertagna-Class of 1985 Stadium on Friday afternoon.
 
With hat tricks in both halves, senior Lindsay Gerrato led Union (1-0, 1-0 Liberty League) to victory with a career-high seven points, scoring six times on just seven shots. For the Dutchwomen, the offensive attack was balanced across the board as seven players had multi-point performances, including three-point efforts from seniors Ava Hultgren (three assists) and Isabel Bush, junior Grace Heiting and sophomore Sydney McPartlon (two goals, one assist each).
 
On the other side, five-point performances from Isabel Silvia (four goals, one assist) and Charlotte Powell (five goals) were not enough for St. Lawrence (1-1, 0-1 Liberty League) to overcome the Dutchwomen's steady offense and tough defense.
 
Coming off a 22-1 win over Castleton, St. Lawrence continued their strong play in the opening 15 minutes of play as Powell scored four times to give the Saints an early 5-2 lead. But the Dutchwomen settled in and rattled off seven unanswered goals from seven different players over the final 11 minutes, including the first of their careers for freshmen Dana Nelson and Anna Smith. On the defensive end, a solid performance from junior goalkeeper Jenna Paszek and multiple forced turnovers by the Dutchwomen helped Union to a 9-5 lead heading into halftime.
 
In the second half, the Saints came out firing as two quick goals from Silvia in the first 3:06 cut the Dutchwomen lead to two. But it did not take long for the Dutchwomen to answer as Gerrato scored twice in less than a minute to regain control. Four straight goals in 3:46 later in the half helped to put the game away, including the first career tally for sophomore Drew Charlton.
 
Thanks to strong defensive performances from junior Elizabeth Hernberg and senior Kat Heaney down the stretch, the Dutchwomen held off a late-game push from the Saints offense. Union finished the game with a 38-25 edge in shots, while Paczek made five saves to earn her first collegiate victory.
 
Union will look to hold off St. Lawrence in the second game of the weekend doubleheader tomorrow at 2 p.m. in Canton.