Potsdam, NY - It was an impressive debut in the ECACHL for the Clarkson University Women’s Hockey team on Saturday night as the Golden Knights defeated Union College 2-1 before 476 fans at Cheel Arena in the first ever conference game for the Clarkson Women’s program.
In their second year as an NCAA Division I team and first season in the ECACHL, the Knights will host Union in the second game of the weekend series on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
The Dutchwomen took the initial lead in Saturday’s season-opening contest on a power-play goal by Erin Vehec at 17:19 of the first period. Clarkson came out strong in the second frame and out shot Union, 15-0, while taking a 2-1 lead. Sophomore Jill Nolan (Labrador, NF) tied the game with a power-play marker at 3:07 with freshman Amanda Dittmer (Chatham, ONT) and sophomore Emma Madigan (Mississauga, ONT) assisting. At 13:55, captain, sophomore Lindsay Williams (Mississauga, ONT) tallied the game winner while on the power play with Dittmer and freshman Jessica Cloutier (Parker, CO) recording the assists.
Clarkson, boosted by 10 power play attempts, out shot the Dutchwomen 45-6. Mandy Hanson made 43 saves for Union. Sophomore Kira McDonald (Pickering, ONT) turned aside five of the six shots she faced in the Clarkson goal. The Knights scored twice on the power play, while the Dutchwomen were 1-of-6 with the man-advantage.
