BURLINGTON, Vt. – The Union College men's hockey team split the season series with the University of Vermont, falling to the Catamounts 4-1, on Saturday night at Gutterson Fieldhouse.

Sophomore Nick Young scored his first goal of the season, short-handed. Senior Ben Tupker and sophomore John Prokop each registered an assist.

Union went a perfect 7-for-7 on the penalty kill including a 5-on-3 at the end of the first period.

Vermont took a 2-0 lead after the first. Daniel Sambuco scored at 3:16 of the opening frame with a wrister from the slot that went past junior Joe Sharib's glove. Ryan Miotto made it a 2-0 game with a goal from the top of the left-wing circle.

The middle frame was scoreless, but featured several scoring chances. Sophomore Jacob Jeannette came close to scoring his first collegiate goal, but the puck rang off the pipe. Union put on the pressure, especially with a power-play opportunity in the final minute of the period, but Gabe Carriere made several saves to keep Union off the board.

Vermont struck again less than five minutes into the third with a goal by Jack Malinski. Young broke the shutout bid with 4:56 to play in the game with his first goal of the season and Union's fourth short-handed goal of the 2023-24 campaign. The Catamounts scored an empty-netter to seal the victory.

Sharib made his first start and stopped 31 shots including 14 in the first period. Carriere made 24 saves for the win.

Union is off for the holidays and returns for one final game in the 2023 calendar year on December 30^th at Bentley University. Puck drop is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at The Bentley Arena.