SCHENECTADY, N.Y. - The Union College women's hockey team took on No. 9/10 Clarkson on Saturday afternoon at M&T Bank Center, falling 6-2. After trailing 3-0, Union came out strong in the third period, scoring twice to get back within two. Clarkson added two empty-net goals late in the period to put the game away.
Junior Karianne Engelbert and first-year Ella Skotty scored for Union (8-5-0, 3-4-0 ECAC Hockey) in the third period. Both players recorded their second goals of the weekend. Sophomore goaltender Emma Rhéaume finished with 41 saves against Clarkson (11-3-0, 3-1-0 ECAC Hockey).
The Union women's hockey team entered Saturday's matchup looking to carry over the momentum from Friday night's historic win over St. Lawrence. However, Clarkson came out strong, taking a 2-0 lead into the first intermission. The Golden Knights got on the board at 5:49 with a goal from Jessie Pellerin. Kate Manness added another at 13:24 to give Clarkson a two-goal advantage. Union kept things even in shots on goal, with both teams recording 12 in the opening period.Â
Clarkson added to its lead in the second period, scoring at 15:14 to make it a 3-0 game heading into the third. The Garnet Chargers spent much of the period defending, as Clarkson put 28 shots on net. Sophomore goaltender Emma Rhéaume kept Union in the game with 16 saves, getting help from the defense to limit Clarkson's scoring opportunities. On the other end, Union struggled to find its offense, finishing the period with just eight shots, four of which were on goal.
Union found its offense in the third period, scoring twice to cut into Clarkson's lead. Junior Karianne Engelbert opened the scoring for Union at 2:42 with a beautiful snipe that slipped right through the goaltender's legs and into the back of the net. The goal was reviewed for a possible offside, but after the challenge, it stood, making it a 3-1 game. Clarkson answered at 6:56 with a goal from Jessie Pellerin, but Union responded just 53 seconds later.  First-year Ella Skotty found the back of the net at 7:49 after a great passing play. Skotty started things off with a behind-the-back pass, which sophomore Megan Duplantie picked up off the boards before finding senior Maddie Leaney. Leaney then set up Skotty for the finish, bringing the score to 4-2. It was Skotty's second goal of the weekend and her first multi-goal weekend of the season.
With under two minutes remaining, Union pulled Rhéaume for an extra attacker in hopes of getting back into the game. Clarkson took advantage of the empty net, as Janelle Evans scored twice in the final minute, at 19:02 and 19:56, sealing the 6-2 win for the Golden Knights.
The Garnet Chargers now turn their attention to a busy weekend back at M&T Bank Center on November 21 where Union will host Yale on Saturday with a 3 p.m. puck drop as part of a doubleheader with the men's hockey team. The team will return to the ice on Sunday, November 22, to take on Brown at 3 p.m.
