ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Despite a career-high six goals from sophomore Anna Smith, the Union College women's lacrosse team suffered a tough 23-20 defeat to Rochester Institute of Technology in a Liberty League matchup at the RIT Turf Field on Friday afternoon.
 
The loss marks a missed opportunity for the Dutchwomen to provide some breathing room in the race for the final Liberty League postseason spot, as Union (4-8, 3-4 Liberty League) now sits just half a game ahead of Skidmore College and RIT (5-8, 3-5 Liberty League).
 
Smith had a huge game for Union in a losing effort, scoring six times on 11 shots to lead the Union offense, while junior Drew Charlton added five goals. Senior Grace Heiting chipped in three goals, an assist and five caused turnovers, and junior Dana Truini scored twice and controlled a game-high 10 draws as well.
 
After RIT came out with three straight goals over the first 3:04 of action, Union quickly took back control, scoring eight of the next 11 goals to take an 8-6 lead with 9:27 left in the second period. Charlton led the team with three goals during the run.
 
The second frame, which saw a combined 13 goals, had time left for an RIT run, with the Tigers scoring four of the next five to take back the lead at 10-9 with 2:47 on the clock. Goals by Smith and Heiting temporarily put the visitors back in the lead before an RIT goal in the final 30 seconds evened the score at 11 after 30 minutes.
 
Truini gave Union its last lead of the game on the first possession of the second half, but the Tigers roared back, outscoring the Dutchwomen 6-2 over the next 10 minutes to grab a 17-14 lead with 4:00 on the clock. Maurer scored with 23 seconds left in the third to get Union within two, followed by another from Truini early in the fourth to take it a 17-16 game. However, three straight RIT goals built up the largest lead of the night for either side at 20-16, and the Tigers had an answer for every Union goal the rest of the way to keep the visitors from mounting a comeback.
 
Union finished the game with a 23-12 edge in ground balls and won the turnover battle 14 to 21, but RIT goalie Linda Nutter made 11 saves to keep her team ahead. Sophomore Hannah Dubinsky and senior Jenna Paszek combined for five saves for the visitors.
 
Union will return to action tomorrow with a tough conference matchup at #8 William Smith College beginning at 3 p.m.