Union Rallies Over Field Hockey

Chris Kendrick (@CKendrick86)

CHICOPEE, Mass. – The Elms College field hockey team was edged out by visiting Union College, 2-1, in a non-conference matchup at Leary Field Tuesday night. The Blazers dip to 3-10 on the season, while the Dutchwomen improve to 6-5 overall.

The Blazers jumped on Union early as freshman Carissa Ramirez (San Diego, Calif.) raced up the sideline with the ball and found junior Madison Messier (Warren, Mass.), who ripped a shot from 15 yards out past Union freshman keeper Mary Beth Rudolf (Danbury, Conn.) to hand Elms a 1-0 lead in the just over a minute into action.

With 20 minutes to play in the first half, the Dutchwomen found the equalizer as junior Alexa Puleio (Boxford, Mass.) dribbled up the goal line and played a ball to the front of the cage for a finish from junior Charlotte Leyland (West Hartford, Conn.) to even the match at 1-1. The tied score remained intact heading into halftime.

In the 49^th minute, Union found the difference maker as Elms junior Marissa Mizzone (Orange, Conn.) made a defensive save on a shot off a penalty corner, but the loose ball trickled freshman Katherine Talacci (Cohasset, Mass.), who put back the rebound to send the Dutchwomen to the 2-1 win.

Union controlled the shot column, 26-5, during the contest. Elms junior Jillian Lapponese (Enfield, Conn.) made a game-high 12 saves, while Rudolf stopped three shots for the Dutchwomen.

Elms will be back on the field when they host Wheelock in a New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) contest Saturday at 2:00 p.m. Union hosts University of Rochester in a Liberty League match Sunday at 4:00 p.m.

ELMS FIELD HOCKEY