Clarkson Remains Unbeaten With 2-0 Win Over Houghton

Katie VanDeValk battles for a loose ball in Clarkson's 2-0 win over Houghton on Saturday. - Photo by Gary Mikel

Potsdam, NY - An unrelenting stiff wind had the Clarkson University Women's Soccer team on its heels to start the first half, but a pair of opportune shots gave the Golden Knights a lead they would never relinquish in a 2-0 victory over Houghton College Saturday afternoon at Hantz Turf Field.

The Golden Knights improved to 3-0 on the season and the team has now outscored its opponents 9-0 in those three contests. The victory was also the 100th of Clarkson head coach Sarah Raymond's career, having secured 89 at Skidmore and 11 so far with the Golden Knights. The Highlanders lost their second straight to fall to 2-2 on the season.

A steady 20 mph wind made goal kicks difficult and defensive clears nearly impossible for anyone shooting against the northwest, but the Golden Knights were able to weather Houghton's early offensive attempts. Clarkson got three shots midway through the second half, with the third making its way into the Highlanders net. After a shot from Christine Wright (Watertown, NY) was blocked, Jessica Budaj (Windsor, MA) was able to control the rebound. Her first attempt, too, was denied, but another chance was deflected by the Highlanders defense in front and into the net at 14:43. From that point, the two teams played even, with Clarkson able to connect its passes instead of trying to clear the ball with one swift kick. That style allowed a goal to be scored in the final seconds of the half. Wright had the ball in the middle of the field during the countdown, and sent a pass over to classmate Megan Strijek (Schenectady, NY). Strijek then floated a shot from about 12 yards out over the head of Houghton goalkeeper Shawna Sprout with just four seconds remaining in the first half.

In the second half, heavy rain started to fall midway as both teams struggled to maintain control offensively as the ball skipped around on the turf unexpectedly. Houghton had numerous shots late in the half in an attempt to get back into the game, but the majority finished wide of the mark or were soft rollers that were easily handled by Clarkson's keeper Kim Kenline (Akron, NY).

Houghton finished with a 14-9 edge in shots and a 3-1 lead in corner kicks, though two of those came in the final minute of play. Kenline finished with five saves for her second shutout of the season and Sprout had two saves for the Highlanders.

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