HOBOKEN, NJ – Union College escaped with a 2-1 victory over The Stevens Institute of Technology in field hockey action Saturday afternoon at DeBaun Field in Hoboken, NJ. The Ducks pressured feverishly for the tying goal up until the end but could not find the back of the net, falling to 5-4 overall. The Dutchwomen improve to 5-5 with the victory.

Union jumped out to an early lead after Jessica Trotter scored an unassisted goal on a breakaway in the 12th minute.

Stevens senior Valerie Barnhart (Gilbertsville, PA) tied the game up in the 34th minute, ripping an off-balance shot past Union goalie Elise Wakeland for her seventh goal of the season. 

The Dutchwomen went back up in the 41st minute after Trotter found Kristin Murphy open two feet in front of the cage. Murphy scored from close range for what proved to be the game-winning goal.

Stevens had several opportunities near the end of the contest, with several players peppering the Union goal, but the Dutchwomen escaped with the win.

Stevens outshot Union, 12-8, overall, including 6-2 in the second half. The Ducks held a 4-2 edge in penalty corners.

Freshman Alli Shields (Mahopac, NY) had four shots for Stevens, while fellow freshman Jessica Megill (Clark, NJ) registered three shots.  

Freshman Stephanie Smith (Hockessin, DE) made three saves for the Ducks, while Wakeland had six stops for the Dutchwomen

Saturday’s game marked the second one-goal loss for the Ducks this season. Stevens also lost a 1-0 overtime decision at Richard Stockton, last Saturday. Last season, the Ducks dropped a 7-1 decision at Union. 

Stevens travels to William Paterson next Wednesday, Oct. 5, to face the Pioneers at 7 p.m.