SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – The Union College women's hockey team fell 3-1 to the University of New Hampshire on Saturday afternoon at M&T Bank Center.

Junior Quinn Dunkle scored her third goal of the season and the lone tally for the Garnet Chargers on the power play, assisted by first-year Megan Duplantie.

In the first period, despite being slightly edged in shots 10-8, Union generated several strong scoring chances. Senior Greta Kropp opened with a point-blank opportunity eight seconds into the period, while the Wildcats nearly answered with a chance that trickled just wide.

Union continued to press with four more quality looks, including two from sophomore Jill Willis, one from senior Stephanie Bourque, and another from Duplantie. First-year goaltender Emma Rhéaume made two key saves late in the frame to keep the game scoreless after 20 minutes.

The Garnet Chargers began the second period on the penalty kill, with Rhéaume continuing to stand tall, making two key stops early. Union earned its first power play seven minutes later and generated several good chances but could not convert. However, a second opportunity late in the period allowed Dunkle to break through.

Duplantie fed a pass from behind the goal line to Dunkle, who was open at the bottom of the right circle and fired the puck past New Hampshire's goaltender to give Union a 1-0 lead.

Despite ending the second period with a 1-0 lead, the Wildcats tied the game just 59 seconds into the third period. New Hampshire's Kelly Harty collected her own rebound, deked Rhéaume, and slid the puck into the back of the net. Union had another power play four minutes later in search of the go-ahead goal but could not capitalize.

New Hampshire took the lead midway through the third frame when Nina Rossi converted a pass from Josie Linn after an initial shot by Alyson Hush. 

Senior Amanda Quan followed with two strong back-to-back chances for the equalizer, but both were denied.

Union pulled Rhéaume with 2:45 remaining, but Aurora Kahlert sealed the win for the Wildcats with an empty-net goal. Rhéaume finished with 23 saves for the Garnet Chargers.

Union returns to action next weekend when it hosts the Ice Breaker Tournament at M&T Bank Center. The University of Wisconsin will face the University of Vermont in the opening round on Friday at 12:07 p.m., followed by Union taking on Saint Anselm at 3:07 p.m. The consolation and championship games are set for Saturday at 12:07 p.m. and 3:37 p.m., respectively.