CASTLETON, Vt. – The Union College field hockey team outshot Vermont State University Castleton by a commanding 31-6 margin on the way to a season-opening 2-1 victory in non-conference action on Friday evening at Dave Wolk Stadium.
 
Senior Megan Dorsey and junior Reese Fendelet scored for Union (1-0) as part of a dominating opening three periods, as Union took 25 shots to Castleton's three over the first 45 minutes. Senior Sophie Brady made four saves at the other end of the field to earn the victory.
 
Union took the only seven shots of the opening period, but five saves by Castleton's Zoe Martin kept the visitors off the scoreboard. The Garnet Chargers were kept out of the net for almost the entirety of the second stanza as well, but Dorsey scored at the buzzer to put Union up by a goal headed into halftime.
 
The visitors doubled their lead 6:29 into the third period, as Fendelet converted off a penalty corner. Union outshot Castleton by a 12-1 margin in the frame, but 10 saves by Martin kept Union from running away with the game.
 
The Spartans got back within a goal early in the fourth after Gwyn Vincent scored off a penalty corner, but the Union defense conceded only one off-target attempt the rest of the way.
 
Dorsey and junior Amy Vytopilova (eight shots) both single-handedly outshot Castleton as a team, as the visitors kept the pressure up throughout the evening.
 
Union will return to action on Wednesday with a non-conference matchup at Williams College beginning at 6:30 p.m.