Clarkson Makes Early Season Statement in ECACHL
ALBANY, N.Y. - Since emerging as a Division I program, the Clarkson women's hockey team has made strides all three seasons. In just the early part of this year, the Golden Knights have defeated nationally ranked opponents and now find themselves ranked among the nation's top 10. Part of that new ranking can be attributed to the team's sweep of Harvard and Dartmouth this past weekend. Only one other team swept in ECAC Hockey League play over the weekend, with Quinnipiac earning its first league wins. St. Lawrence also had a good weekend, earning three points with a win and a tie.
The Golden Knights were the story of the weekend, downing then No. 5 ranked Harvard and No. 8 Dartmouth. Freshmen blue liners accounted for the two game winners, with Sophie Doyon netting the winning tally vs. the Crimson and Kimberly McKenney scoring the winning goal vs. Dartmouth. Goalie Kira Hurley was also up to task, making 20 saves vs. Harvard and 16 vs. Dartmouth and earned Goaltender of the Week honors for her efforts. Her blanking of the Big Green was the 12th shutout of her career.
Quinnipiac earned its first league wins by downing Union in two games. The Bobcats' first win was a 1-0 shutout with goalie Connie Craig taking the victory. The next night had Rookie of the Week Antoinette Maldonado picking up a goal and three assists to go with her helper from the night before for a five-point weekend. Teammate Vicky Graham was also outstanding in the second win, netting a hat trick.
St. Lawrence, which remains the No. 1 team in the land, started off its weekend with a 3-0 shutout over Dartmouth. The Saints then battled Harvard to a 2-all draw on Saturday. Senior Jessica Moffat earned the shutout vs. the Big Green after making 24 saves in the game. It was her second shutout of the season and 10th of her career. Freshman Alison Domenico took care of the scoring for the Saints on Sunday, scoring both of SLU's goals against the Crimson. Harvard opened and closed the scoring in the game, with both of its goals coming on the power play. Neither team was able to pull ahead, though Harvard had 27 shots total on net and SLU had 39.
In non-league play, Dartmouth, Colgate, Cornell and Princeton earned one win each. The Big Green downed Boston College in an early-week game, while Colgate earned its W over Robert Morris, the Big Red downed Niagara and Princeton claimed a win at Ohio State.
The Big Green's week started off with a one-goal win over the BC Eagles, while Cornell claimed its first win of the year on Saturday against the Niagara Purple Eagles. Vicki Hodgkinson netted the game winner for the Big Red late in the second period.
Against Robert Morris, the Raiders dominated from start to finish and claimed it by a 9-0 score. Allison Paiano was a standout on the ice, tallying a career-high six points in the contest on two goals and four assists. Those six points led all ECACHL players for the weekend and earned her Player of the Week honors. Colgate also played an exhibition game over the weekend and downed Brock 7-0.
Princeton made the trip to Ohio to face the Buckeyes and were successful the first time out, wining 4-1. The next night, OSU claimed the game 2-1. Forward Brittany Salmon led the Tigers with a goal in each game.
In other non-league action, Brown fell twice to No. 4 Minnesota, while Yale tied Boston College 1-1 in overtime and fell to No. 6 New Hampshire.
This weekend's competition features games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. In league action, Harvard and Dartmouth will travel to Yale and Brown, while Clarkson and St. Lawrence trek to Princeton and Quinnipiac. In non-league play, Cornell will play host to Wayne State for two games and Colgate will face Niagara for two. Union is off for the next two weeks as the Dutchwomen are preparing for and taking semester exams.
