Box Score

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Despite taking an early lead in the first half, the Union College women's lacrosse team fell 14-6 to No. 3 SUNY Cortland on Friday at Frank Bailey Field. Senior Lindsay Abbott earned the game-winning goal with minutes left to play in the first half, moving the Red Dragons to a 7-5 lead. The Dutchwomen begin the season at 0-1 after the non-conference loss, while Cortland sits at 1-0.

Abbott's game-winner came at the 5:37 mark in the opening frame after receiving a pass from junior Gina Campese. The senior shot from the top of the fan and put the ball past senior goalkeeper Alexis Deeb. Abbott ended the match with four goals and four assists.

Cortland was first on the board with an unassisted goal from Abbott, less than two minutes into the game after a Union turnover.

Soon the Dutchwomen gained moment back with a quick goal from senior Hilary Salander. Salander retrieved the ball after an initial save on freshman Emily McGrail, putting it behind junior goalkeeper Shauna Hutchinson.

Union began to take over, with junior Tory Cameron scoring minutes later off of a free position shot. Only 67 seconds later, McGrail scored her first collegiate goal to move the score to 3-1 over Cortland. McGrail cut through the middle and received a pass from junior Brittany Fraser, surprising Hutchinson.

The Red Dragons cut the lead to 3-2 at the 20:56 mark, with Mary Hartzheim firing a shot into the top right corner of the net. The junior received a feed from freshman Marilyn Farrell from the crease, and Hartzheim cut through the middle to tally her first goal of the season.

Union came back minutes later, tallying back-to-back goals from McGrail and Brittany Fraser. Fraser's unassisted shot came at the 18:19 mark after a deke around a Cortland defenseman, while McGrail earned her second goal of the game after wrapping around from behind the net to catch Hutchinson off guard.

With the Dutchwomen now leading 5-2, Cortland's offense kicked into gear with half of the first frame to play. The Red Dragons scored six unanswered goals, three of which coming from Abbott, to make it 8-5. Junior Gina Campese tallied two goals.

Union scored the final goal of the half, with junior Heather Fraser putting one past Hutchinson with 57 seconds left to play. The play was set up when Brittany Fraser earned a free position shot, allowing Heather to eventually gain a ground ball in front of the Cortland goalkeeper.

Despite only a two-goal difference, Cortland continued their offensive attack in the second half. Junior Maria Di Fato scored with 18:27 left to play after numerous turnovers and ground balls from both squads. Minutes later, senior Erin Kollar scored her second and third goals of the game.  With less than 10 minutes left in the game, Di Fato moved the Red Dragons' lead to 12-6.

The Dutchwomen tried to come back with several chances from McGrail, Salander and sophomore Kim Seckler. However, Hutchinson remained solid in net, allowing zero Union goals in the second half.

The match concluded with goals from Cortland junior Taylor Harney and freshman Chelsea Martin.

Union is back in action on Sunday, March 18^th, when the Dutchwomen take on Trinity College at 12:00 p.m. at Frank Bailey Field.