SCHENECTADY, NY – Rallying from a 2-0 deficit to start the second, the No. 19 Union College men’s hockey team defeated Holy Cross, 4-2, on Saturday night at Messa Rink.
The Dutchmen improve to 10-7-1 on the season with the nonconference win, while the Crusaders fall to 6-6-6.
The game saw the opportunistic Crusaders jump out to a 2-0 lead in the first period, despite Union out-shooting Holy Cross, 14-7, in the first 20 minutes. By the end of the game, Union out-shot Holy Cross, 40-21, with the Crusaders blocking an extra 27.
Minus the two breakdowns that led to the Holy Cross goals, the Dutchmen were in the driver’s seat and continued to keep up the pressure, knowing that goals would soon come their way.
Union’s first goal came just under six minutes into the second frame while on the power play. Vas Kolias took a shot from the point that Cole Maier got a stick on in front of the net. Holy Cross goaltender Paul Berrafato made the first save, but Jack Adams was also in front of the net and put in the rebound for his second collegiate goal.
Maier then got a goal of his own in similar fashion just seconds before the end of the second period. This time Maier picked up a rebound off a shot from Ryan Scarfo to tie the game at 2-2 with 24 seconds remaining in the period.
Both teams then remained at a 2-2 stalemate for the majority of the third period until Scarfo potted the would-be game-winner with 2:16 remaining in the game. Connor Light took a shot that bounced off the end boards to the near side of the net where Scarfo was posted up. The senior then chipped it between Berrafato and the post to give Union the late 3-2 lead.
In the waning minutes, Holy Cross opted for an extra attacker, but Ryan Walker scored on the defenseless net for the insurance goal.
While Maier and Scarfo both recorded a goal and an assist each, sophomore defenseman Vas Kolias had a career night, recording an assist on each of Union’s first three goals.
Freshman netminder Darion Hanson was between the pipes for the Dutchmen, making 19 saves for his seventh win of the season.
The game also marks just the second time this season that Union came back to win after conceding the first goal of the game.
The Dutchmen return to the ice tomorrow for their final home game of the 2017 calendar year, hosting Massachusetts at 5 p.m. (ET).
