SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – The Union College women's lacrosse team limited #11 Colby College to just three goals in the first half, but the Mules used a four-goal run in the fourth quarter to pull away for a 10-7 victory over the Garnet Chargers in non-conference action on Monday afternoon at Frank Bailey Field at Bertagna-Class of 1985 Stadium.
 
Junior Maddy Schiller led Union (2-4) with four goals on the afternoon, but was the only Garnet Charger to score more than once. Senior Lana Mickelson had a goal, three ground balls, two caused turnovers and four draw controls to pace the home team, while sophomore Kate Loughney matched Mickelson in ground balls and junior Maddie Greco did likewise in draw controls.
 
Kristin Podgordi recorded a team-leading four points for Colby (3-3) with two goals and two assists, and Charlotte Michener registered a team-best three goals.
 
The first quarter was a defensive struggle, with both teams managing just one goal apiece. After both goalies made saves on the opponents' first possessions, Union got the ball back and Schiller found the net for the first time 2:45 into the game. The home team could not capitalize on an excellent defensive effort that kept the Mules off the board for over 14 minutes, however, turning the ball over on six straight possessions before the visitors knotted the score with 47 seconds left in the first frame.
 
Union controlled the subsequent draw and scored on its wrap-around possession spanning the first and second periods, with senior Maddie Doyle making a hard charge to the cage for a goal. Following a Colby goal, Union built up its largest lead of the game thanks to back-to-back tallies by Schiller and Mickelson 43 seconds apart, but the visitors got one back a minute later to make it a one-goal game at the half.
 
The teams scored 43 seconds apart early in the third quarter to keep the margin at one. Union forced a turnover and got two saves from senior Sydney Widlitz on the next three possessions to retain its advantage, but Colby scored two goals in 34 seconds to grab a 6-5 lead that it took into the fourth. After Schiller evened the score 2:12 into the final frame with her third of the day, the Mules responded with four straight scores to build up the largest lead of the day for either side on the way to the victory.
 
Monday's game was evenly played on both sides, with Colby holding a 25-24 edge in shots and Union posting an 8-7 advantage in saves thanks to Widlitz. Both teams had just two failed clears each on the day and the squads combined for just two free-position attempts.
 
After a span of three games in five days, Union will try to enjoy a little time during Spring Break before returning to action on Saturday with a key conference matchup at Ithaca College beginning at 3 p.m.