Potsdam, NY – Freshman Brooke Beazer (Kingston, ONT) scored a power-play goal at the 13:25 mark in the third period to send the Clarkson University Women’s Hockey team to its second straight victory in as many nights over Niagara University, beating the Purple Eagles 4-3 Saturday night at Cheel Arena.
The Golden Knights improved to 6-5-4 overall while Niagara dropped to 5-8-1 on the season. Clarkson will enjoy nearly a month off, returning to action at Lake Placid when they face Boston College on January 1st.
After being held scoreless for over 69 minutes against the Golden Knights, Niagara finally got on the scoreboard at the 9:33 mark in the first period. Sophomore Chelsea Donovan scored her second goal of the season when she put home a quick pass in front of the crease on a delayed penalty. Kerri-Lynn O’Hara and Charde Hoyle-Levy each picked up assists for the Purple Eagles, their second and fifth assists of the season, respectively. Freshman Katie Morrison (Rochester, NY) made sure the Golden Knights wouldn’t end the period behind 1-0, as she scored an unassisted goal, her fifth of the season, with just 23 seconds remaining in the frame.
The Knights kept the pressure on in the second frame when sophomore Jill Nolan (Labrador, NF) skated in on a 2-on-1 break and sent a pass to the right post where Morrison one-timed a shot past Niagara goaltender Nikki Rudy at the 3:24 mark. Sophomore Lauren Lubrano (Ridgefield, CT) also was awarded an assist, her first point of the season, on Clarkson’s second tally of the game.
Niagara freshman defenseman Shannon Moulson tied the game up at the 16:12 mark when she scored a power-play goal, her third of the season, on a shot from the point. Freshman Ashley Riggs picked up her eighth assist of the year on the game-tying score.
The first few minutes of the third period saw a flurry of scoring opportunities by both teams, none of which ended in a goal. Clarkson goaltender Kira McDonald (Pickering, ONT) made the most outstanding save of the game, reaching up and making a glove save while lying on her stomach at the 9:50 mark, maintaining the 2-2 tie. The two teams finally started making good on their opportunities as the Knights broke the tie just a few moments later when they picked up a power-play goal at the 11:36 mark. Sophomore Christine Bailkowski (Aurora, ONT) scored her third goal of the season on a rebound in front with assists going to Beazer and Lubrano, her second assist of the game.
Niagara wasted little time tying the game back up with a goal just 33 seconds later. Amy Jack scored her fourth goal of the season with a shot that just slipped past McDonald. Katie Gray gained her third assist of the season. However, the game’s third tie was short-lived as Clarkson scored its second power-play goal of the game when Beazer walked in and took a shot from the slot to put the Knights up 4-3 at the 13:25 mark. Beazer’s fourth goal of the season and first game-winner was assisted by Morrison and Bailkowski.
Kira McDonald finished with 25 saves and Rudy ended the game with 19 saves. The Knights finished 2-for-6 on the power play, while Niagara was 1-for-3. For the second straight night, the Knights were out shot, 28-23.
