Clarkson Picks Up First League Wins; SLU Opens Year with 2-0 Mark
ALBANY, N.Y. -- ECAC Hockey League competition began over the weekend for the league's women's teams, as Clarkson earned two wins over Union. It was extra-special for the Golden Knights, as the games were their first-ever conference contests. St. Lawrence also earned two wins over the weekend, with non-conference victories over Connecticut.
Clarkson started off play with a 2-1 win over the Dutchwomen last Saturday, with sophomore left wing Lindsay Williams (Mississagua, Ont.) netting the game winner. Sunday's game belonged to sophomore goalie Stephanie Hansen, who stopped 23 shots to earn her second collegiate shutout. She was named the league's Goaltender of the Week for her efforts.
Despite the loss to the Golden Knights, Union saw some bright marks over the weekend. One in particular came from sophomore goaltender Mandy Hansen (Brainerd, Mass.), who was outstanding in goal on Friday, making 43 stops in the contest.
St. Lawrence had two players with five points each over the weekend, as the team earned 6-5 and 5-4 wins over Connecticut. Senior forward Rebecca Russell (Clarenville, Newfoundland) had two goals and three assists on the weekend, as did freshman Sabrina Harbec (St. Hubert, Que.). Harbec netted the game winner in the 5-4 victory and became the first Saint rookie to score in her first career collegiate game in five seasons. She led the league's freshmen over the weekend and was named Rookie of the Week.
Colgate also played two games over the weekend and split with nationally ranked Providence -- it was the Raiders' first-ever win against a ranked opponent during the regular season. Senior forward Amanda Barre (Grafton, Ont.), this week's Player of the Week, was the offensive difference in Colgate's victory over the Friars, scoring both of the teams goals on the power play.
Vermont also faced a Hockey East opponent over the weekend and picked up a 2-2 (ot) tie after dropping its first game vs. Maine. Junior forward Kate Hudspeth (Burlington, Vt.) had both of the team's goals, scoring an unassisted marker in the first period and a power-play tally in the second. Senior Kami Cote (Copperton, Utah) faced 40 shots between the pipes and stopped 38 of them.
All 11 ECAC Hockey League teams are now in action, as Brown, Dartmouth, Cornell, Harvard, Princeton and Yale started practice over the weekend. Most of these squads will play exhibition contests this coming weekend.
