SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – The Union College women's lacrosse team scored 11 straight goals between the second and fourth periods to turn a five-goal deficit into a six-goal lead on the way to a crucial 13-11 victory over Vassar College in Liberty League action on a rainy Saturday afternoon at Frank Bailey Field at Bertagna-Class of 1985 Stadium.
 
Sophomore Gillian Joseph had a massive game to lead Union (8-3, 4-3 Liberty League), tying for the game-high with four goals and also adding four assists for a career-high eight points. The sophomore also grabbed three ground balls and caused four turnovers as part of Union's tenacious ride that forced the Brewers into a 15-of-27 effort on clear attempts.
 
Playing in her final home game alongside classmates Teagan Shay, Morgan Adams and Sarah Murphy, senior Greta Maurer also had a huge game defensively as well for Union on Senior Day, scoring once and adding four ground balls and causing a game-high five turnovers while controlling four draws. Sophomore Maddy Schiller scored three goals on five shots and junior Lana Mickelson chipped in a goal and a team-high five ground balls as well for the Garnet Chargers.
 
Amelia Poirier led Vassar (8-3, 3-3 Liberty League) with four goals and Emilia Diliberto chipped in two goals and five draw controls.
 
Vassar got off to a hot start on a cool Saturday, scoring the first three goals less than four minutes into the game. After goals by Joseph and junior Maddie Doyle got the home team within a goal, the visitors rattled off the final three of the opening period and the first tally of the second to take a 7-2 lead with 2:54 gone by in the frame.
 
The tide turned dramatically after that, however, with Union keeping Vassar off the scoreboard for over 35 minutes while scoring 11 times to firmly take control of the contest. Schiller scored three of the team's four second-period goals to help get the Garnet Chargers back within a goal at halftime. The home team followed with the only five goals of the third quarter, with Joseph scoring twice and assisting on two more from Maurer and sophomore Hannah Compa before Doyle ended the frame with a goal to put Union up 11-5 after 45 minutes.
 
Mickelson and junior Christina Guanci added tallies to start the fourth, with Guanci's seventh of the year making the score 13-7 and completing the run. During the stretch, Union forced 12 of Vassar's 21 turnovers and conceded only three shots, with junior Sydney Widlitz stopping the only on-target attempt over the 35 minutes.
 
Vassar scored twice in 20 seconds to end the scoreless drought, but Union forced the visitors into turnovers on their next three possessions and Widlitz came up with a big stop with 2:05 left to keep the home team in front despite a pair of last-minute goals.
 
Union finished the game with a 34-19 edge in shots and forced Vassar into 31 turnovers on the afternoon. Widlitz finished the game with five saves, while Vassar's Bree MacMullen recorded 12 stops.
 
The Garnet Chargers will close out the regular season with three games on the road, beginning on Friday with the front end of a North Country weekend against Clarkson University at 4 p.m.