Clarkson Women's Hockey Ready to Begin 2026–27 Campaign

POTSDAM, N.Y. — A talented returning core, an experienced group of newcomers and one of the nation's most productive young forwards have Clarkson University Women's Hockey positioned for another competitive season in 2026–27.  The Knights have been ranked 12th in both the USA Hockey and USCHO National Polls and were tabbed 4th in the ECAC Pre-Season Coaches poll, receiving 1 first place vote.  

Head Coach Matt Desrosiers returns behind the Clarkson bench with assistant coaches Kris Hogg, Cassidy Warner and Cam Basarab, along with video coordinator Alexa Hoskin. The Golden Knights enter the new campaign following a 20-win season in which they scored 120 goals, recorded seven shutouts and earned several notable victories against nationally competitive opponents.

Clarkson's offensive attack will again be led by Pre Season All ECAC sophomore forward Sara Manness. In her first collegiate season, Manness recorded 21 goals and 31 assists for 52 points.  She finished with a team-best 6 game-winning goals and posted a  +34 rating.  Sara is the reigning ECAC player of the Year and will look to ad to an already incredible career in the Green and Gold.  Kate Manness also returns after an impressive freshman campaign in which she collected 6 goals and 26 assists. Her ability to distribute the puck and create scoring opportunities should again make her an important part of Clarkson's attack.  Kate was named a pre season All ECAC selction at defense.  

The Golden Knights bring back additional experience up front with seniors Janelle Evans and Shelby Laidlaw. Evans produced 9 goals and 12 assists in 27 games last season, including 5 power-play goals, while Laidlaw provides size and veteran leadership.

Junior Raedyn Spademan and sophomores Manon Le Scodan, Paige Wallace, Gabrielle Lalonde and Layla Matthew give Clarkson additional depth. Le Scodan, a 2026 Olympian,  recorded 27 points in 31 games during her freshman season, while Spademan contributed 15 points.  Matthew was out last season dur to injury and the coaching staff is exctied to see her step on the ice for the Golden Knights.  Junior forward, Jenna Smellie, will likely start the season unavailable to play.

Clarkson added several new options to its forward unit during the offseason. Junior transfers Isabelle Goettl and Jessie Pellerin arrive from Bemidji State and Providence, respectively, bringing previous NCAA experience to Potsdam. Freshmen Abby Richardson and Kennedy Sisson will begin their collegiate careers after playing for NAHA White 19U and RINK Hockey Academy Kelowna.

On defense, senior captain Keira Hurry will anchor a young but talented group. Hurry recorded 5 goals and 13 assists last season, with 3 of her 5 goals coming on the power play. Her experience and ability to contribute in all situations will be especially valuable to a defensive unit featuring several underclassmen.  Sophomores Morgan Walton, Jaela Carter, Kaitlyn Mallette and Kate Manness all return after gaining valuable experience during their first collegiate seasons. Clarkson also brings in sophomore transfer Sydney Lamb from St. Cloud State and freshman Ciara Lang from the Edmonton Jr. Oilers U18 program.

In goal, senior Arianne Leblanc returns after posting a 6-3-1 record, a 1.62 goals-against average, a .926 save percentage and two shutouts last season. Her experience gives Clarkson a proven option in the crease.  Sophomore Aneta Šenková is also back after earning five victories and two shutouts during her freshman season. Freshman Kalia Pharand, a product of the Mississauga Hurricanes U22 program, completes a three-player goaltending group that gives the Golden Knights both experience and depth at the position.

Clarkson will begin its season with an exhibition game against Bishop's University on September 19 at Cheel Arena before opening regular-season play with a two-game home series against RIT on September 25–26.  Last season the Knights faced Bishop's, earning a 5-0 victory.  The exhibition will not count in the season stats nor will it count in the overall record for the Knights.

The early portion of the schedule will provide several significant tests. Clarkson travels to UConn for two games on October 2–3 before playing a home-and-home series against North Country rival St. Lawrence on October 8–9. The Golden Knights will also welcome Franklin Pierce and Providence to Cheel Arena before beginning ECAC Hockey play with a road weekend at Harvard and Dartmouth.

The first half of the conference schedule includes home matchups against Princeton and Quinnipiac, followed by visits from Cornell and Colgate in early December. Clarkson will also face Syracuse twice, traveling to Syracuse on November 24 before hosting the Orange on November 28.

With a proven scorer leading the offense, veteran leadership at each position and a promising group of newcomers, Clarkson enters the 2026–27 season with the depth needed to compete in a challenging ECAC Hockey race. The Golden Knights will look to build on last season's 20 victories while positioning themselves for another strong postseason run.

All Clarkson home games can be streamed on ESPN+ and via ECACHockey.tv for international viewers.  Be sure to follow the Golden Knights on Instagram @clarksongoldenknights and on X @ClarksonWHockey