SCHENECTADY, N.Y. - Two early power play goals by St. Lawrence in the first period proved costly for the Union women's hockey team, as they fell 4-2 to the #8/10 ranked Saints on Friday night at Messa Rink.

Junior Mallory Mauracher notched her second goal of the season, while first-year Karianne Engelbert netted her 11th goal of the year on the power play. Engelbert's goal ties her for first nationally among all freshmen in scoring. Sophomore Maddie Leaney registered an assist on both goals, while senior Paige Greco tallied a secondary assist on Engelbert's goal. And, senior goaltender Sophie Matsoukas played in her 100th career game.

St. Lawrence came out strong, firing three shots to Union's one in the opening five minutes of action. 5:59 into the first period, the Saints were awarded their first power play, and 28 seconds later, they capitalized on their first goal of the game.

Taylor Lum took an initial shot from the bottom of the left circle, and the rebound came out to Tori Verbeek, who had a second attempt. The puck then came out to Sarah Marchand, who put it home into the right side of the net. 

Over the next seven minutes, Union fired eight shots on the Saints' goalie, while St. Lawrence failed to register a single attempt. Despite Union's offensive pressure, the Garnet Chargers were unable to convert on their opportunities. 

Shortly after, the Saints were awarded their second power play of the period, and capitalized. Aly McLeod walked the blue line and fired to Marchand, who was located at the back door, and one-timed the puck home. 

For the next seven minutes of play, the Saints registered five shots to Union's one, but Matsoukas stood her ground, keeping St. Lawrence at bay and allowing the Garnet Chargers to convert on their first goal of the game.

Leaney retrieved a loose puck and skated below the goal line, then passed it to Mauracher, who fired the puck into the net from the slot with seven seconds left in the period.

In the middle frame, the Saints outshot Union seven to three, but Matsoukas stood strong, while the Garnet Chargers blocked five shots to hold off St. Lawrence. Offensively, Union won four faceoffs and had a promising breakaway opportunity, but were unable to capitalize on the chance.

Despite Union's efforts, 2:52 left in the period, the Saints converted on their third goal of the evening. After receiving a long pass from Melissa Jeffries, Abby Hustler walked in and fired a shot in the left side of the net.

Just 5:10 into the third period, the Garnet Chargers converted on their second goal of the game on the power play. The rebound from an initial shot attempt by Leaney from the bottom left circle popped out to Engelbert who shot the puck into the right side of the net.
 
Over the next 10 minutes of action, Union peppered the Saints goaltender with eight shots to St. Lawrence's three, including another golden break away opportunity but failed to capitalize.

With five minutes to go, the Garnet Chargers received another power play opportunity, but did not convert. Union pulled Matsoukas with 1:58 left in regulation for an extra attacker but the Saints scored an empty netter, solidifying the 4-2 victory.

The Garnet Chargers are back in action Saturday as they face #7 Clarkson University in their Faculty and Staff Appreciation Game. Puck drop is set for 3:00 pm.