Another tough, one-goal loss to a highly-rated foe on the road has kept the Clarkson University Women’s Hockey team from picking up its first win of the season. On Sunday afternoon, the Golden Knights fell to 4th/5th-ranked University of New Hampshire 2-1  on the Olympic ice sheet at the Whittemore Center before 434 fans in Durham.

Clarkson, which stands at 0-3-1 after four consecutive games playing against nationally-ranked teams in New England, opens the home portion of the schedule this weekend when it hosts Top-10 ranked Mercyhurst College in a two-game series at Cheel Arena.

The Knights, who have been slow starters this year, having been out scored 8-0 in the opening 20 minutes, fell behind 2-0 in the first period against unbeaten UNH (4-0-2). The Wildcats tallied twice in a one-minute span midway through the stanza for all the scoring they would need.

Jenn Wakefield scored at 10:19 and then Sam Faber connected for the game-winner on a penalty shot at 11:19 after Clarkson was called for a tripping penalty on a UNH breakaway.

Despite being out shot 10-5 in the second period, the Knights held the Wildcats off the scoreboard to keep the game close through 40 minutes.

Senior Marie-Jo Gaudet (Sherbrooke, QUE) pulled the Green and Gold to within one with her second goal of the season and 43rd career tally at 3:38 of the final frame. Junior Genevieve Lavoie (Delson, QUE) assisted.

That would be as close as the Knights would get as UNH allowed Clarkson only three shots on goal over the final 20 minutes.

Sophomore Eve Grandmont-Berube (Drummondville, QUE) posted 25 saves, including 20 over the final two periods, as the Wildcats out shot the Knights 27-19.

Clarkson continued to struggle on the power play, failing to score in 10 man-advantage chances. UNH went 0-of-5 on the power play.