TROY, N.Y. – Despite a late push for an equalizing goal, the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) women's hockey team was edged out by the Union Garnet Chargers at Houston Field House Friday night by a final score of 3-2. With the win, Union improves to 5-12-2 overall and 2-7-2 in conference play, while RPI falls to 7-10-3 overall and 2-9-0 in ECAC Hockey play.
 
Both sides scored their opening goal just 26 seconds apart in the first period, as Union took the early lead on a goal from Maddie Leaney to give the Garnet Chargers an early 1-0 lead. However, it didn't last long as freshman Aylah Cioffi picked up a rebound and scored inside the right post to even things back up at 1-1.
 
Union broke the tie once more to open the second period, giving the Garnet Chargers a 2-1 lead. Just a minute into the middle frame, Emily King took a shot from the right wing that managed to find it's way behind Amanda Rampado as Union crashed the net. The Garnet Chargers added their third goal short-handed at the 12:45 mark of the second period, as Maren Friday found herself along on the right post on  pass from Riley Walsh to slip it by RPI goaltender Amanda Rampado as Union took a 3-1 lead.
 
However, RPI responded before the end of the period at the 17:49 mark thanks to a 2-on-1 advantage. Nina Christof found Isabelle Hardy on the left post on a pass from the right wing circle, and Hardy just had to tap it home as the goal pulled RPI back to within one as it stood 3-2 after two periods.
 
Despite outshooting Union 14-8 in the third period and 50-38 on the game, the Engineers could not find an equalizer as the Garnet Chargers held on for the win. Rampado finished with 16 saves in net for RPI, while Sophie Matsoukas made 28 for Union.
 
The Engineers return to action tomorrow night, Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. when they head over to Schenectady for a rematch with the Garnet Chargers at Messa Rink.