SCHENECTADY, N.Y. - Senior Maddie Suitor recorded two goals in the Union College's Women's Ice Hockey team's 4-0 over Rochester Institute of Technology on Friday night at Messa Rink.
Suitor led Union (2-1) with the first multi-goal game of her collegiate career, scoring the first and last goals of the game for the Garnet Chargers. Junior Greta Kropp and first year Klara Kenttälä both scored their first collegiate goals as well in the win. Sophomore Danica Mark recorded her first career point with an assist on Suitor's first goal.
Union came out strong, recording five shots on goal and winning six faceoffs in comparison to RIT's one shot on goal and one faceoff win in the first six minutes of play. RIT came back earning equal opportunities as both teams ended with 11 shots at the end of the scoreless first period.
In the second period, Suitor opened the scoring 3:34 in. After receiving a pass from sophomore Kendal Davidson, Mark was able to bounce the puck off the boards up to Suitor, who skated in and chipped the puck top right shelf past RIT's goalie.
The Garnet Chargers continued to push offensively as Kropp scored her first collegiate goal five minutes later. A shot from sophomore Quinn Dunkle at the blue line deflected off senior Paige Greco right to Kropp, who picked the puck up in the slot and shot it in the right side of the net.
After back-and-forth action in the third period, RIT trailed by two and pulled their goaltender, Sophia Bellina, with three minutes left hoping to even the scoring. After RIT got caught in their defensive zone, Kenttälä capitalized on a loose puck at the blue line, following a pin by first-year Karianne Engelbert on an RIT player at the boards. Kenttälä fired the puck into the empty net, securing the first goal of her career.
A last-minute effort by Union allowed Suitor pick up her second goal of the evening with 21 seconds left. A long cross ice pass from senior Emma Hebert found the stick of senior Ashley Adams, who passed it to Suitor at the blue line. Suitor skated into the offensive zone and shot it in the top left corner past RIT's goaltender.
Union finished with 38 shots and goaltender Sophie Matsoukas recorded 27 saves to pick up her fourth shutout, moving her into the sole possession of second place on the school's career shutouts list.
Union looks to secure the weekend sweep tomorrow versus RIT. Puck drop is set for 4:00 p.m. at Messa Rink.
