POTSDAM, N.Y. - The Union College women's lacrosse team traveled to Potsdam today to take on Clarkson University in an important Liberty League matchup. The Union offense struggled to get going for most of the day, as the Dutchwomen fell, 19-9, at Hantz Field.
 
Despite the loss, Union (3-4, 2-3 Liberty League) still controls its own fate when it comes to making the Liberty League Tournament. A victory tomorrow over Clarkson (5-5, 3-3 Liberty League) in the regular-season finale would still leave Union no worse than fourth place in the conference standings, which would ensure the Dutchwomen their first postseason berth since 2016.
 
Juniors Grace Heiting and Kit Christian, and sophomore Sydney McPartlon led the scoring for Union with two goals apiece. Senior captain Kat Heaney led Union with three ground balls, while another senior captain, Lindsay Gerrato, tallied six draw controls.
 
Just two and a half minutes into the game, a save by junior goalie Jenna Paszek and a goal by sophomore Dana Truini put Union up 1-0. After that, however, Clarkson went on to score six straight goals to take a 6-1 lead with 19:12 left in the first half. Union's offense struggled to maintain possession as the visitors turned the ball over a number of times during this stretch, and 13 times total in the half. Heiting finally paused the Clarkson run with a man-down goal with just under 14 minutes left to go in the first half. 
 
Defensively, Union managed to slow Clarkson down and make the Golden Knights take time on their offensive possessions, but a 17-7 shots-on-goal differential proved to be a difference. Union did a better job of taking control of the ball later in the half and was able to keep pace with Clarkson, making the score 11-6 at halftime. Heiting led Union's first half scoring with two goals, while McPartlon, senior Courtney Cronin, and first-year Anna Smith also scored to keep Union in the game. 
 
Clarkson extended the lead to 14-6 at the beginning of the second half as Union turned the ball over on three consecutive possessions, including two on clear attempts. Christian's first goal of the year stopped the initial Clarkson run in the second half and brought Union within seven. On the next possession, an offside call took a goal away from Union that could have given them significant momentum in the game, and the Dutchwomen did not score again for 17 more minutes while Clarkson scored five times to regain control.
 
For much of the game, Union's turnovers limited their offense, as the visitors turned the ball over 22 times and struggled clearing the ball against the Clarkson pressure. The home team held a 46-18 edge in total shots, as Paszek made 10 saves as part of a busy game.
 
Union will look to rebound tomorrow, when the Dutchwomen celebrate Senior Day and look to clinch a postseason berth beginning at 4 p.m. on Frank Bailey FIeld at Bertagna-Class of 1985 Stadium.