SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – The Union women's hockey team fell 5-2 to the #14/13 Princeton Saturday afternoon at Messa Rink.

Sophomore Kendal Davidson netted her first of the season with an unassisted goal in the second period while Danica Mark netted her first career goal in the third period. First-year Klara Kenttala and senior Maren Friday were credited with the assists on Mark's goal.

In the first 15 minutes of the first period, Union put the offensive pressure on winning nine faceoffs to Princeton's eight and recording eight shots on net to Princeton's six. The Garnet Chargers also played a strong defensive game, blocking three shots while senior goaltender Sophie Matsoukas made seven saves.

However, the Tigers struck first with 4:45 left in the period. Emerson O'Leary sent a pass to Sarah Paul who fired a shot from the top of the slot into the right top corner of the net.

The Garnet Chargers held the Tigers at bay for the remainder of the period killing off one penalty and blocking three shots while Matsoukas saved an additional six shots.

Princeton netted their second goal of the game just 2:47 into the middle frame. Angelia DiGirolamo skated the puck around the netted and fired a shot from the bottom left circle. Issy Wunder retrieved the rebound and backhanded the puck into the back of the net.
 
In the next six minutes of action, the Garnet Chargers continued to dominate the faceoff circles, winning five faceoffs to Princeton's four, recieving one power play opportunity, and registering two additional shots on net. On the defensive end, the Garnet Chargers held strong killing off a penalty kill, blocking an additional three shots, while Matsoukas made three additional saves.

Despite Union's strong efforts, Princeton netted their third goal of the game 11:46 into the period. After successfully completing her penalty, Lucia DiGirolamo emerged from the box and received a long pass up from her sister, Angelina DiGirolamo, from the defensive zone. DiGirolamo then skated in on a breakaway from the left side, deked Union's goalkeeper, and planted the puck into the right side of the net.

In the next seven minutes of action, Union continued to hold off Tigers while putting the offensive pressure on. Union had one power play opportunity, recorded an additional three shots, while blocking one shot, and Matsoukas making three saves.

With the offensive momentum, the Garnet Chargers ended the period with getting one the board with 1:32 to go. Davidson retrieved a loose puck from the defensive end and skated coast to coast on the left side and backhanded the puck through Princeton's goaltender's five hole.

In the first 12 minutes of action in the third period, both teams had even chances with five shots on net. However, Union hindered Princeton's offensive abilities, killing off two penalties and blocking four shots.

Union continued their offensive momentum as Mark netted her first career goal 12:30 into the period. After receiving a pass from Friday, Kenttala carried the puck to the far left hash marks before sending a pass to Mark, who was positioned in the slot. Mark then redirected the puck into the left side of the net.
 
The Tigers were quick to get one back 1:17 later. After O'Leary played the puck up ahead to Paul, Paul skated in from the left side, deked Union's goaltender and potted the puck into the right side of the net.

Union pulled Matsoukas with 2:48 to go in the period. However, Princeton scored an empty netter with 1:15 left to go in the period securing the victory.
Matsoukas finished the game with 33 saves in net.

The Garnet Chargers are back in action next weekend at Messa Rink when they host north country visitors #10 St. Lawrence University and #6 Clarkson University. Puck drop is set for 6:00 pm on Friday night against the Saints and 3:00 pm on Saturday afternoon versus the Golden Knights.