Union Women’s Hockey Falls to Brown 7-3 in Cancer Fight Game

The Union College Women’s Hockey team faced a tough game on Friday night, falling to Brown University with a final score of 7-3. Union started strong, and a few players really stood out, but they just couldn’t hold onto their lead.

The game took place at the M&T Bank Center and was part of the *Hockey Fights Cancer* initiative. That added a bit of extra emotion to the night.

Key Moments in the First Period

Union College kicked things off with some promise. Junior Maddie Leaney opened the scoring midway through the first period.

She got help from first-year Megan Duplantie and sophomore Karianne Engelbert. Leaney picked the top-right corner of the net with a slick shot.

Union outshot Brown 8-6 in the first, but they couldn’t take advantage of a late power-play chance. That missed opportunity felt like it might come back to haunt them.

Maddie Leaney’s Impact

Leaney was definitely a bright spot. Her first goal, scored at 8:36 of the opening period, showed off her offensive instincts.

She took a pass from Engelbert, who had moved the puck up quickly from Duplantie. Leaney came in from the left and buried it in the top-right corner.

Second Period: A Roller Coaster of Emotions

The second period was wild, with goals coming fast from both sides. Just over two minutes in, Union went on the penalty kill, but somehow Leaney managed to score short-handed and put Union up 2-0.

Emma Fulawka, her classmate, broke up a play and set Leaney up for that goal. It felt like momentum might be swinging Union’s way.

Brown’s Quick Response

Brown answered back almost immediately on the same power play. Ignila scored from inside the slot, cutting Union’s lead to one.

India McDadi followed up with another for Brown, tying things at 2-2. Engelbert gave Union a brief lead with a power-play goal, but Brown tied it up again seconds later with a shot from Victoria Damiani.

Power Play Struggles and Defensive Lapses

Union struggled on the power play, and some defensive lapses really hurt them. Brown scored two more on separate power plays—Monique Lyons got a breakaway goal, and Olivia Fantino tipped one in.

By the end of the second, Brown was up 5-3. Union actually outshot Brown 14-9 that period, but it just didn’t translate to the scoreboard.

Third Period: Brown Seals the Victory

In the third, Brown put the game out of reach with two more goals. Margot Norehad chipped one in four minutes into the frame.

Zoe Li fired a shot past Union’s goalie at the halfway mark. Union ended the period with a power play but couldn’t cash in, finishing with a 7-3 loss.

Standout Performances

Even with the loss, a few Union players really stepped up. Leaney had two goals, and Engelbert added a goal plus an assist.

Megan Duplantie, a first-year, chipped in with two assists. Those efforts stood out, even if the final score didn’t reflect it.

Goalie Performance

Senior goalie Emily Evans made her second start of the season and racked up 22 saves. The scoreline looks harsh, but Evans had several big stops, especially in the first period.

Looking Ahead

Union College will try to bounce back in their next game against #10 Yale at the M&T Bank Center. That matchup is part of the *National Girls and Women in Sports Day* celebration, which should make things even more special.