SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – The Union College field hockey team jumped out to an early lead and then rode a strong defensive effort to remain undefeated with a 2-1 victory over Montclair State University in non-conference action on Saturday afternoon at Frank Bailey Field at Bertagna-Class of 1985 Stadium.
 
Senior Emily Dawson and first-year Megan Dorsey found the net early for Union (2-0), while senior Jill Bove added an assist and played a key role in the midfield throughout the contest. First-year Sophie Brady made five saves in goal to earn her second straight win.
 
For the second straight game, Union came out strong and scored in the opening two minutes. On the team's second corner of the afternoon, Bove took the insert at the top of the arc and dished off to Dorsey, who rocketed a shot through traffic for her first collegiate goal. Brady made two saves in the period to keep her team in front.
 
The home team doubled their lead on the first shot of the second stanza, when a cross from the near wing was tipped across the goal mouth by first-year Alyssa Pavano to Dawson at the back post for the put away at 2:39 of the period. Montclair State got one goal back less than seven minutes later on a Lauren Zultowski tally to make the score 2-1 at the half.
 
Playing with a one-goal lead, Union used a stout defensive unit and great midfield play to limit Montclair State to just two shots the rest of the way, including no attempts in the fourth quarter. Brady made back-to-back stops off a penalty corner midway through the third frame, but that was all MSU could muster.

Union finished the game with a 13-6 edge in shots and also took seven penalty corners to Montclair State's four.
 
Union will head onto the road for the first time this season next Saturday, when the team heads to William Paterson University for a 1 p.m. matchup.