SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Senior Eliza Munns scored the first three goals of her collegiate career to lead the Union College field hockey team to a 9-0 victory over Russell Sage College in a non-conference matchup on Wednesday evening at Frank Bailey Field at Bertagna-Class of 19895 Stadium.
 
Normally a member of the defensive unit for Union (7-1), Munns came on early in a forward role and made the most of her opportunities, scoring three times on nine shots in the first 17 minutes of the game while also adding an assist for a seven-point night. Senior Emily Dawson recorded four points on a goal and two assists, while first-year Gabby Alfinito and sophomore Ronni Flanagan both scored their first collegiate goals as well.
 
Union put the game out of reach early, scoring six times in the first quarter alone. Junior Sophie Ruhl opened the scoring 60 seconds into the game with her fourth of the year, followed less than a half-minute later by Dawson from close range to double the lead. Dawson followed up with assists on the next two goals, as senior Jill Bove and Munns scored off penalty corners to again double the Union lead to 4-0 less than five minutes into the game.
 
Sophomore Grace Goddard found the net in the ninth minute and Munns added her second by tipping home a shot by senior Caroline Werner in the 12th minute. In all, Union posted a 16-0 edge in shots over the first 15 minutes.
 
The home team scored three more times in the second stanza before taking its foot off the gas for the second half.  Munns completed her hat trick 1:41 into the period and then assisted by Alfinito's first collegiate tally at the 23:26 mark of the contest. Flanagan finished off the scoring with her first college goal from a tough angle in the 27th minute.
 
First-year Sophie Brady got the start and did not face a shot in the first quarter before ceding the net to sophomore Ella Glucksman, who made one save the rest of the way in her collegiate debut. Union finished with a 24-2 edge in shots.
 
Union will look to keep the momentum going heading into Homecoming and Family Weekend, when the team hosts rival Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for a big conference clash on Saturday at 6 p.m.