SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – First-year Gillian Joseph scored a game-high four goals as the Union College women's lacrosse team locked up a postseason berth with a 12-7 Liberty League victory over St. Lawrence University on Saturday afternoon at Frank Bailey Field at Bertagna-Class of 1985 Stadium.
 
With its fourth straight victory, Union (8-4, 6-2 Liberty League) remains in sole possession of third place in the conference standings with two Liberty League games remaining in the regular season. A win on Wednesday at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute would clinch the third seed in the postseason for the Garnet Chargers.
 
Joseph scored four goals on six shots to lead Union, and she was helped by two goals and an assist each from seniors Anna Smith and Audrey Larson. With her three points today, Smith reached the 100-point plateau for her career. Defensively, sophomore Sammy Johnson recorded two ground balls and caused three turnovers.
 
The defense stepped up in the opening frame for the Garnet Chargers, limiting SLU to one on-target shot and three attempts overall while forcing the Saints into nine turnovers. At the other end, Joseph, Smith and Larson all collected tallies to give the home team a 3-0 lead after 15 minutes.
 
Goals from senior Sarah Murphy and sophomore Lana Mickelson helped keep Union ahead by three after the second stanza, and both teams scored three goals apiece in the third period to retain Union's three-goal edge at 8-5.
 
Union finally closed the door by scoring the first four goals of the fourth quarter. Joseph scored her third of the game 3:06 into the period, followed by three goals in less than three minutes from Joseph, senior Dana Nelson and first-year Maddy Schiller.
 
Sophomore Sydney Widlitz made five saves to pick up the victory for Union, which outshot St. Lawrence by a 28-22 margin.
 
Union will look to keep the momentum going on Wednesday at RPI beginning at 7:30 p.m.