Skip To Main Content
WHOC players fighting for puck against boards
4
Winner Union (NY) UNI 4-0-0
2
Merrimack MC 1-3-0
Winner
Union (NY) UNI
4-0-0
4
Final
2
Merrimack MC
1-3-0
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 F
Union (NY) UNI 1 0 3 4
Merrimack MC 0 1 1 2

Game Recap: Women's Ice Hockey | | Skylar Evans, Athletic Communications Assistant

Union Women’s Hockey Stays Hot, Ties Program Record with Four Straight Wins

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. - The Union College women's hockey team (4-0-0) stayed hot Saturday afternoon, winning its fourth game in a row with a 4-2 victory over Merrimack College (1-3-0) for the second straight night. The Garnet Chargers have now tied the longest winning streak in program history, matching the 2022 and 2024 squads. Junior Jill Willis led the way with another two-goal game, bringing her weekend total to four goals. Senior goaltender Monja Wagner stopped 25 shots on goal, making several key saves to help the Chargers secure the victory.

The Garnet Chargers came out strong in the opening period, out shooting the Warriors 10-2 through the first 20 minutes. Wagner made two key saves to keep the Chargers in control and hold off Merrimack's offensive pressure. Union broke through at the 16:43 mark when Willis found the back of the net, assisted by senior Quinn Dunkle and freshman Lily Oster to make it her first of the afternoon, to give the Garnet Chargers a 1-0 lead heading into the second period.

Merrimack responded early in the second period, with Madison Vittandas scoring the equalizer at the 5:20 mark to bring the game even at 1-1. Merrimack goaltender Machala Musty stood tall in net, making nine saves in the period to keep the game tied. The Warriors controlled the play in the second, out shooting the Chargers 19-14. Despite the increased pressure from Merrimack, Union continued to battle and held strong defensively to keep the game tied at 1-1 heading into the third period.

Coming out for the third, the Chargers continued to apply pressure. At the 3:21 mark, senior Maddie Leaney gave Union the lead, scoring off assists from sophomore Kaitlyn Toner and Oster with her second assist of the night to make it 2-1. Union went on its first power play of the period, and at the 9:06 mark, junior Karianne Engelbert found the back of the net to extend the Chargers' lead to 3-1. Freshman Evie Hanson and Leaney picked up the assists on the power-play goal. With just 2:07 remaining in the third period, the Warriors pulled their goaltender in an attempt to cut into the deficit. The move paid off, as Merrimack's Maegan Cronan scored at the 18:58 mark to make it a 3-2 game.The Chargers answered right back. After Union sent the puck down the ice, Willis found the empty net at the 19:43 mark for her second goal of the night. Leaney and Engelbert picked up the assists, capping off a huge weekend for all three Chargers and securing the 4-2 victory.

Wagner finished the afternoon with 25 saves on 27 shots to help the Garnet Chargers close out the weekend sweep. Union outshot Merrimack 26 -18 and finished 1- 4 on the power play. Willis finished the weekend with four goals, while Leaney, Engelbert and Oster each recorded multiple-point weekends.

The Garnet Chargers will look to keep the momentum going and break more records as they head into a bye week before traveling to Newark, Del., to take on the University of Delaware. Union will return to action Friday, October 16 at 6 p.m, followed by the second game of the weekend series Saturday, October 17 at 2 p.m.

 
Print Friendly Version