SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – The Union College men's hockey team (13-18-2, 7-13-1 ECACH) dropped a 4-1 decision to #2 Quinnipiac University (27-3-3, 19-2-0 ECACH) Friday night at Messa Rink.

Junior Tyler Watkins was the lone goal scorer for the home team, notching his team-leading ninth goal in the third period.

Quinnipiac netted the first two goals of the game from Charles-Alexis Legault and Joey Cipollone, respectively.

The Bobcats extended their lead to 3-0 in the second period when Michael Lombardi found the back of the net only 1:01 into the frame. Union had a great chance at 2:59 of the middle stanza from sophomore Josh Nixon. The Ontario native fired a shot from the top of the right-wing circle that initially beat Quinnipiac netminder Yaniv Perets. However, Quinnipiac challenged the goal, and upon review, the officials waived it off for goaltender interference.

The hosts found the scoresheet at 7:55 of the final stanza. Watkins forced a turnover high in the defensive end and took it up ice on a two-on-one. The Minnesota native snapped a wrister from the top of the right-wing circle for the score. With 3:26 remaining, Union pulled senior Connor Murphy for the extra-attacker. The Bobcats capitalized with an empty-net goal from Ethan de Jong with 2:55 in the period.

Union outshot the visitors in the final two periods, recording a total of 20 shots to Quinnipiac's nine.

Murphy made 21 saves in the loss while Perets made 19 saves for the win.

In the loss, Union stays in ninth place in ECAC Hockey standings with 23 points. Union can still clinch the eight seed and final home ice spot for a first-round playoff game with a regulation win tomorrow.  

The team is back in action tomorrow in the regular season finale against Princeton University for senior day. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Messa Rink.