Notching its first win of the season on Saturday, the Clarkson University Women's Lacrosse team will look to create a winning streak on Tuesday when the Golden Knights hit the road to face Utica College.
The Knights enter the game with a record of 1-1, having started off the season with a 10-8 loss to Potsdam and then beating Keuka College 10-8 on Saturday, while the Pioneers enter the game with a record of 2-1.
Clarkson lost 145 of last year's 203 goals to graduation, but several players have already emerged to replace the offensive firepower. Freshman Paige Fayette (Theresa, NY) was chosen the Liberty League Rookie of the Week by scoring six times in two games, and adding in eight groundballs. Classmate Ashley Flick (Watertown, NY) tossed in five more goals and also caused a team-high three turnovers. But the leading scorer for the weekend was sophomore Christine Wright (Watertown, NY), who has started off right where she left off last year with eight points in two games, coming on three goals and five assists. Juniors Danielle Faivus (Oswego, NY) and Emma Oliver (Jericho, VT) have also chipped in a pair of goals each.
On defense, Kara DiNatale (Auburn, NH) has backboned the defensive effort with a 9.21 goals against average and a 48.5% save percentage.
Last season, Clarkson was able to extend its winning streak to two games with a triple overtime win against Utica, 12-11, in a game that featured an 80-minute snow delay as well. It was the second straight season in which the Knights needed overtime to take down the Pioneers, and Clarkson now holds a 8-6 lead in the all-time series. Wright was instrumental in last year's victory, scoring two goals, assisting on four others, and adding in four groundballs and three caused turnovers. For Utica, Megan Kane had four goals and Morgan Dupont tallied three goals in the loss.
Kane and Dupont are back this year and the duo has combined for seven goals and six assists through three games, but it is freshman Rebecca Plunkett who has achieved many of the early headlines for Utica. The first-year collegian has 11 goals an an assist and also leads her team with nine groundballs and nine draw controls. Sophomore goalkeeper Erin Jacobson is allowing 7.00 goals per game with a 53.3% save percentage.
