Ithaca's 1-0 victory over visiting Union last Saturday snapped the Dutchmen's five-game win streak, Union's longest string of successes, in three years. Union, which carried a five-game win streak heading into the game against the Bombers, had a five-game unbeaten streak (4-0-1) in 2002 and had a pair of four-game win streaks in 2001. The Dutchmen ended both of those campaigns with winning records (10-7-0 in 2001 and 9-7-2 last year) for the first back-to-back winning campaigns since the 1992 and 1993 season.
Seventh-year head coach Jeff Guinn has his team at 8-4-1 (2-2 in the UCAA) entering this weekend's home conference games against Hobart (Friday at 4:00) and Hamilton (Saturday at 2:00). The Dutchmen are currently tied for fourth (with Skidmore), the final spot to qualify for the UCAA postseason tournament. Last year Union lost a heartbreaking 1-0 game to Skidmore in the regular-season finale allowing Hobart to take the final playoff spot.
Sophomore forward Kelvin Martinez is by far the Dutchmen's leading scorer with his 15 points on six goals and three assists. Sophomore Mark Susko is next with four goals and eight points.
Union's defense and goaltending have been the keys to this year's success. Goaltenders, junior Kevin O'Connor and senior Chris Johnson, have combined for 49 saves on 60 chances (a save percentage of .817) with seven shutouts
This weekend's games on Garis Field will be the last ones for this year. Union will
travel to meet Utica and battle Skidmore in the season finale.