SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Senior Kieran McGovern led all players with three points and sophomore Dan Donahue turned aside 11 shots to lead the #12/13 Union College men's lacrosse team to an 8-4 victory over Babson College in the Dutchmen's 2022 season-opener on a brisk Sunday afternoon at Frank Bailey Field at Bertagna-Class of 1985 Stadium.
 
McGovern was one of three multi-goal scorers for Union (1-0) on the afternoon, joining senior Hayden Frey and sophomore Jake Mabardy with two goals while also adding an assist. Senior Peter Burnes and sophomore Justin Greene both scored as well for the home team, while Jacob Tauss led Babson (2-1) with two goals.
 
Donahue picked up right where he left off as a first-year, making 11 saves on 15 on-target attempts – including six stops in the fourth quarter alone as the Beavers attempted to mount a comeback. Frey also helped the defensive effort with a team-leading five ground balls and two caused turnovers.
 
The Dutchmen started the game strong, scoring the only three goals of the opening quarter. Frey netted the first goal of the season from McGovern 5:04 into the period, followed just over three minutes by a Burnes unassisted tally to double the lead. Frey added his second of the quarter with under 30 seconds remaining to take a 3-0 lead after 15 minutes.
 
After Babson got on the board with the first goal of the second stanza, Union scored the final two goals to take a 5-1 lead into the half. Greene scored the first goal of his collegiate career in his first game at the 9:03 mark, and Mabardy just beat the buzzer off a feed from senior Owen Toland.
 
The Beavers held Union off the scoreboard for much of the third quarter and scored twice to get back within two goals, but McGovern halted the momentum with 2:28 left to give the home team some breathing room.  Goals by Mabardy and McGovern in the fourth quarter and some timely stops by Donahue in net helped to keep Union in control throughout the final frame.
 
Union finished the game with a 50-27 edge in total shots. The Dutchmen were nearly perfect (21 of 23) in clearing attempts and picked up 31 ground balls to Babson's 19.
 
Union will return to action on Wednesday, when the team takes its first road trip of 2022 to face off with Endicott College beginning at 4 p.m.