SCHENECTADY, NY. - Three first-period goals and a late empty-netter powered the Union College women's hockey team to a 4-2 win over Merrimack College on Friday night at M&T Bank Center, marking the best start in program history.

Senior Amanda Quan and juniors Emma Fulawka, Maddie Leaney, and Quinn Dunkle provided the scoring for the Garnet Chargers, while junior goaltender Monja Wagner made 20 saves between the pipes.

Union struck early in the first period, just three minutes in. Senior Greta Kropp chipped a puck on goal, and Quan tucked the rebound for her first of the season. 

Merrimack tied the game 11 minutes later, but Union regained the lead less than a minute after on the power play. Junior Stephanie Bourque fired a shot toward the left side, where Fulawka redirected it in for her first goal of the season.

The Garnet Chargers extended their lead on a two-on-one late in the frame. Fulawka carried the puck up the right flank and fed Leaney, who chipped a shot into the top-left corner to make it 3-1 after 20 minutes.

In the second period, Union killed off all three Merrimack power plays while outshooting the Warriors 11-9. The Garnet Chargers also earned two power plays of their own but could not capitalize.

The Warriors pulled within one on a power-play goal with six minutes remaining in regulation. Merrimack pulled their goaltender in the final minute searching for the equalizer, but Dunkle sealed the win with her second empty-net tally of the season.

Union closes out the weekend series with Merrimack tomorrow at M&T Bank Center. Puck drop is set for 1:00 p.m.