SCHENECTADY, NY - Two third period goals propelled the Union College women's hockey team past Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 2-1, Friday night at Messa Rink.

The win is a big one for Union (10-16-1, 7-9-0 ECAC Hockey) in the race for a top-eight seed, vaulting the Garnet Chargers past RPI (12-12-3, 5-9-2 ECAC Hockey) and Brown University into eighth place, one point ahead of the Bears and a half-point behind Princeton University and Yale University in sixth place with six conference games remaining.

Senior Maren Friday scored the game-tying goal, while fellow senior Paige Greco netted the game-winner. Greco also delivered the overtime game-winning goal against RPI, on Tuesday, November 26, leading the Garnet Chargers to a thrilling 3-2 victory. Junior Stephanie Bourque and senior Ashley Adams provided assists on Friday's goal, while first-year Karianne Engelbert and sophomore Maddie Leaney assisted on Greco's goal.

Despite successfully killing off a penalty and senior goaltender Sophie Matsoukas making seven saves in the first 11 minutes of the game, a second penalty on Union gave RPI the chance to capitalize on a power play. Sophie Helgeson made a cross-ice pass to Ellie Kaiser, who then fired the puck into the right side of the net.

In the final nine minutes of the period, play was nearly even, with Union holding a slight five to four edge in face offs, earning a power play opportunity, and both teams registering two shots on goal. However, neither team was able to convert during the stretch.

In the middle frame, both teams had their fair share of chances, including one power play opportunity each. RPI held a slight nine to six edge in shots, and led at the face off dot, 10 to eight. However, both teams played a strong defensive effort, keeping the second period scoreless.

Friday netted the game tying goal just 3:15 into the third period. After retrieving the puck from Adams, Bourque sent a pass to Friday who one-timed the puck past RPI's goaltender.

Just 2:36 later, Greco netted the game winning goal. After Leaney chipped the puck to Engelbert, Engelbert passed the puck to Greco who then wristed a shot from the top of the slot into the top right corner of the net. 

In the next 12 minutes of action, RPI had a power play opportunity, outshot Union seven to four, and dominated the face off circle nine to six. However, the Garnet Chargers' defense stood strong, preventing RPI from tying the game.

RPI pulled their goaltender, Reese Keating, with 2:57 to go in the period for an extra attacker but Matsoukas came up big making six key saves in the dying minutes of the game helping secure the 2-1 victory over the Engineers. Matsoukas finished the night with 31 saves. 

Union is back in action tomorrow afternoon as they face the Engineers in the annual Capital District Mayor's Cup at MVP Arena. Puck drop is set for 3:00 pm.