SCHENECTADY, N.Y. -- Union battled the elements and a tough opponent in posting a 7-5 non-conference victory against 10th-ranked Wesleyan (Conn.) in the 2014 home opener at Frank Bailey Field. The Dutchmen have won three consecutive games.
Rob Santangelo and Greg Mooney scored two goals apiece in a game the Union (3-1) never trailed. Santangelo -- who added an assist for a three-point showing -- notched his second multiple-goal game of the season as did Mooney, as the duo now share team goal-scoring honors (6). Nolan Stauffer (goal, two assists) also recorded three points while Richard Gregory added a goal and assist for a Dutchmen offense that was outshot 30-20.
Union opened a 3-0 lead after the first quarter and kept the Cardinals off the board until the 9:09 mark of the second quarter when Quentin DellaFera broke through with an unassisted goal. DellaFera finished with a team-high two goals.
Union, which entered the contest as the top-ranked defensive team in the Liberty League, held Wesleyan (3-1) to a season-low goal total in a game played in freezing rain.
Possession was the key for Union, which finished with a commanding 63-33 advantage in ground balls. Connor Hall was just as effective on faceoffs, going 13-for-18, and sharing team honors with eight ground balls.
