SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Union College outscored Skidmore College by a 5-1 margin in the pivotal third period as the Garnet Chargers picked up a 11-9 Liberty League women's lacrosse victory on Friday evening at Frank Bailey Field at Bertagna-Class of 1985 Stadium.
 
Senior Anna Smith recorded a game-high four points to lead Union (5-4, 3-2 Liberty League), scoring three goals and adding an assist. First-year Gillian Joseph also scored three times and was matched with three points by junior Greta Maurer (one goal, two assists). First-year Hannah Compa scored twice and both junior Sarah Murphy and sophomore Lana Mickelson added one goal apiece for the home team.
 
Gabriella Modesti was the lone Skidmore (4-7, 2-3 Liberty League) to score more than once with a team-leading three goals.
 
The first 30 minutes were very evenly matched, with the teams trading runs to remain close. The Thoroughbreds spent the first six minutes of the game almost entirely in the offensive end and scored the first two goals of the contest. The Garnet Chargers came back with two in 19 seconds later in the frame with a Smith goal and a Smith assist to Joseph.
 
Smith followed a Skidmore goal with one of her own 18 seconds later to knot the score at three after one period, and Union came up with the first two goals of the second stanza to take a 5-3 lead with 9:02 on the clock. However, the Thoroughbreds responded with the final three goals of the frame to take a 6-5 lead into halftime.
 
Union took control in the third period, outscoring Skidmore by a 5-1 margin. Joseph started the momentum going Union's way with a player-down goal 73 seconds into the period, followed by goals from Smith and Compa to take an 8-6 lead at the midway point of the quarter. The defense buckled down after a Modesti player-up tally got the visitors back within a goal, and tallies by Mickelson and Murphy in the final 1:19 of the frame built up the largest lead of the day at 10-7.
 
Skidmore got back within two with 10:48 on the clock, but Union had an immediate answer, as Compa controlled the draw herself and eventually scored off a Maurer feed to regain the three-goal edge with 9:16 remaining. The defense limited Skidmore to one goal the rest of the way to finish off the victory.
 
Union finished the game with a 31-20 edge in shots and doubled up Skidmore in ground balls, 18-9, while also committing a season-low 10 turnovers and forcing eight of the Thoroughbred's 17 miscues.
 
Union will return to action next Saturday, April 13, with a Liberty League matchup at Vassar College starting at noon.