SCHENECTADY, NY – The Union College Dutchwomen fell 5-3 in a heartbreaker to Merrimack College this evening.
With heavy offense in the first period, the Warriors out shot Union 12 to five and jumped on the scoreboard early on. Just two minutes into play, Merrimack’s Felila Manu took a hard shot that Megan Fergusson helped tip in past Coco Francis. Union went man down with 14 minutes left, on a hooking penalty, but managed to escape unscathed.
About 10 minutes later, sophomore Rachel de Perio managed to steal the puck from a Warrior and get a pass off to fellow classmate, Katelynn Russ. Russ beat Merrimack’s goaltender, Lea-Kristine Demers, on a one-on-one, with a beautiful shot in the upper right hand corner of the net. The equalizer would be Russ’ third goal of the season, in as many games.
The Dutchwomen came out of the intermission recharged, scoring their second of the night just two minutes into the second period. With Union pressing the Warriors, Russ struck again, dumping the puck in, from out in front of Merrimack’s net. Four minutes later, Warrior Jessica Bonfe would settle the score, with the power play advantage. In the 13th minute, Merrimack’s Katelyn Rae scored on a breakaway for her fifth of the season. Rae’s goal would go unanswered in the second period and send the Dutchwomen into the third with a one-goal deficit.
Union took control for the majority of the third period. With 10 minutes to go in regulation, de Perio would net the puck, but a rogue helmet from Merrimack’s goalie would overturn the goal and leave the Dutchwomen still with a 3-2 deficit. Union went on the power play, just under the nine minute mark. The advantage would be enough for the Dutchwomen, as Caitlyn McLaren would notch a crucial goal and bring the game to three a piece.
Merrimack managed to get alone in front of the net and snipe one in past Francis with two minutes to go. The goal would be Courtney Maud’s first of the season and would ultimately be the game-winner. Maud went back-to-back within the remaining minute and scored an empty netter immediately after Francis was pulled, making the final score 5-3 in Merrimack’s favor.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
-Union has now scored 3+ goals four times this year, already the highest single-season total since scoring 3+ seven times during the 2013-14 season. This is the first time the Dutchwomen scored 3+ goals in three straight games since the 2004-05 season.
-The Warriors out shot the Dutchwomen 30-22.
-Francis had 25 saves on the night.
The Dutchwomen take on the Warriors tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. for redemption.
