The St. Lawrence University women's hockey team picked up its first ECAC Hockey win of the 2010-11 season on Saturday with a 1-0 shutout against Union College at Appleton Arena. Sophomore Kelly Sabatine scored the game-winning goal, while first-year goalie Caitlyn Lahonen made 27 saves to record her first collegiate shutout.

St. Lawrence (2-5-1, 1-1-0) controlled the majority of scoring chances, but the Dutchwomen were anchored by netminder Kate Gallagher, who turned in a spectacular 46-save performance. The loss drops Union to 1-7-0 (0-2-0) this season, while the win snaps the Saints' four-game losing skid.

"(Kate) Gallagher was stifling in net, and as the game went on, Union got more and more confident," said St. Lawrence head coach Chris Wells. "However, Caitlyn (Lahonen) was equally impressive on our end of the ice and helped us pick up the win."

The home team poured on the early pressure throughout the first period, as St. Lawrence held a 21-5 advantage in shots on goal through 20:00 minutes. Gallagher was the difference-maker, stopping all 21 bids including two point-blank tries by senior Karell Emard and first-year student Rylee Smith to keep the game scoreless after the first period.

Gallagher again was impressive in the second period, though Lahonen also made a few brilliant stops including two on a breakaway try by Rhianna Kurio. With the period winding down, the Saints were finally able to cash in and take a 1-0 lead with a mere 11 seconds left in the stanza. Sophomore Brooke Fernandez ripped a shot off Gallagher's pads, but the rebound found Sabatine in the crease and the Hamilton, ON native pushed the puck across the line for her fourth goal of the season. The helper was Fernandez's fifth of the year as well.

Union turned in its best period of hockey in the third, as they managed to outshoot the Scarlet and Brown 12-11, though the Saints had two shots hit the post and others sail just wide of the net. With Gallagher pulled in the final minute for an extra attacker, the Dutchwomen nearly evened the scoring, but Lahonen was positioned perfectly to make a pad save while moving across the crease. The stop was her last of the game and helped propel St. Lawrence to the 1-0 victory.

Lahonen's 27 saves moved the rookie to 2-1-1 on the year, while Gallagher suffered the loss despite making 46 saves. The Saints, who finished with a 47-27 advantage in shots on goal, killed off all three Union power plays but finished 0-for-1 with the extra skater.

The Scarlet and Brown will be in action again on Thursday, November 4th when the team travels to Niagara University to take on the Purple Eagles. Game time is set for 7:00pm.