Union Edges Saints In Liberty League Opener

by: 

Wally Johnson

The Saint penalty corner defense was perfect on 11 tries against Union Friday

Sept. 21: St. Lawrence University's field hockey team's offensive doldrums continued Friday afternoon as Union College scored the game's only goal with 9:10 left in the first half, handing the Saints their third 1-0 loss of the season and their fourth one-goal defeat in an 0-6 start.

Union improved to 2-3 overall and pulled even at 1-1 in the Liberty League when sophomore Darcy Berger controlled a bouncing ball just at the top of the goalie crease in the Saint end and slid a shot past Saint goalie Brady Cooper's pad and into the middle of the cage at 25:50. The unassisted goal was Berger's first of the season and her second career game-winner.

Union had its chances to expand its lead, drawing 11 penalty corners to eight for the Saints, but the Saint penalty corner defense was perfect with help from Cooper, who made seven saves. Molly McCune also had seven saves for Union, which outshot the Saints 18-14 overall and had and 8-7 edge in shots on goal.

The Saints were outshot 10-5 in the first half, but came on offensively in the second half, outshooting Union 9-8. While they had their chances, McCune either made the stop or the ball rolled wide. The Saints had a player advantage late in the second half on a green card to Union's Caroline Moran, but while the Saints worked it into the Union end, Ashley Ferenczy's shot from along the goal line just slid wide of the far post with just under three minutes to play.

SLU, 0-6 overall and 0-1 in Liberty League play will host Vassar in a league game Saturday at 2 p.m.