Union College's spring sports programs are peaking at the right time.
Three different Union teams are hosting post-season tournaments this week, led by a first-round NCAA Division III women's lacrosse matchup with Eastern (Pa.) Wednesday afternoon at 4 p.m. on Frank Bailey Field.
The 13-3 Dutchwomen received an at-large bid to the tournament yet still earned a home game in the first round. They are 6-0 at home, and they have plenty of firepower. Union scored on nearly 50 percent of its shots on goal this year. That's pretty impressive stuff.
"We've got some really good sharp-shooters, but the thing that has impressed me the most is that our defense has come together lately and has been really tough down the stretch. We held William Smith scoreless for a half in the Liberty Leage tournament semifinals," said Union head coach Jess Critchlow.
Meanwhile, the Union men's lacrosse team is the top seed and will host the ECAC Upstate Championship Thursday.
The 12-4 Dutchmen, led by Liberty League Coach of the Year Paul Wehrum, will take on fourth-seeded Nazareth (8-6) at 4 p.m. at Frank Bailey Field. In the other semifinal, second-seeded Rochester Institute of Technology (10-7) meets third seed St. John Fisher (11-4) in Rochester. The winners play Sunday at noon at the highest remaining seed.
Union's campus remains busy this weekend, when the softball team plays host to the ECAC Division III Upstate Softball Championship. Union (29-6), coached by Peter Brown, plays the winner of Wednesday's Medaille College (21-14) at Oneonta State (21-19) game Saturday at 10 a.m. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (26-11), the second seed, meets Alfred (22-11) in the other first-round game at noon.
There are two more games Saturday in the double-elimination event. The tournament continues Sunday at 10 a.m. Games will be played on Alexander Field.