SCHENECTADY, NY – The Dutchwomen stormed the gates this evening, as they defeated Brown University 6-3 to open up 2017-18 ECAC league play and earn their first victory of the season.
Brown would get their offense rolling, four minutes into play, when Bear Sena Hanson would net one past Union’s goalie, Coco Francis. Despite falling behind early, the Dutch would respond in the eighth minute of play, when Cheyenne Harris created a clear lane to Hannah Schultz, and the two beautifully combined for Union’s first goal of the day. Shortly after, despite being a man-down, sophomore Katelynn Russ managed to break through and score her first goal of the season after knocking in the puck on a one-on-one with Brown’s goalie.
Brown came out of the second period re-energized and moving the puck quickly across the ice. Kicking up the pressure, Brown had 10 shots on net, and would eventually find a way to get one in. Brown’s Alley Rempe scored with eight minutes to go, to settle the score at two goals apiece with the Dutchwomen. Fatigue looked like it was starting to take a toll on the Dutch, as Brown would carry the majority of the momentum through the second period. However, the Dutchwomen seem to come back to life, late in the period, when Hannah Schultz would score her second goal of the evening, and her career, off of a power play. With a one goal advantage, Helen Markovic also scored with 20 seconds left in the second period and helped send Union into the third period with a 4-2 upper hand.
Just 33 seconds into the third period, Russ would notch her second goal of the game. Despite Brown’s response in the third, with a 5-3 lead at four minutes to go, Haley Shugart would score, unassisted, for her first goal of her sophomore campaign. Shugart’s goal would solidify Union’s 6-3 victory over ECAC competitor, Brown.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
-Six goals is the most scored by Union since Oct. 8, 2011 against Sacred Heart. It is also the most goals Union has ever scored against an ECAC opponent.
-Schultz’s two goals tonight were the first of her career as a Dutchwoman.
-First Year Francis made her Messa Rink debut tonight in net for Union. She had 31 total saves.
-Sophomore Cheyenne Harris had a career high three assists tonight. Tonight’s game puts Harris at five assists on the year, the most on the team.
-Russ’ first goal of the game was Union’s first short-handed goal of the season.
-Shugart appeared in her first game back in over eight months tonight, due to injury. She managed to notch an assist and a goal in her return.
