Clarkson Begins New Era with Victory

Potsdam, NY - It may have only been an exhibition, but the Clarkson University Women's Hockey team showed that it is prepared to move on without its vaunted senior class that graduated following the 2006-07 season, a point proven by the Golden Knights 3-0 victory over the Stoney Creek Junior Sabres Saturday night in front of 259 fans at Cheel Arena.

The Golden Knights open the season next weekend when they host Wayne State on Friday and Saturday. The Sabres, a team filled with Division I prospects from South Central Ontario, dropped to 7-3 on the season, and will face Colgate University on Sunday.

Clarkson owned a solid 10-3 advantage in shots in the opening stanza, but were unable to get on the board until junior right wing Marie-Jo Gaudet (Sherbrooke, QUE) picked up a turnover inside the zone and skated in to score the Knights' first goal at 16:13, recording the tally unassisted.

In the second period, Clarkson earned its second goal midway through the fame as freshman Melissa Waldie (Newmarket, ONT) picked up a deflection in the slot and slid a shot past the Sabres goaltender at 8:45. Sophomore center Britney Selina (Thornhill, ONT) picked up the assist and was quick to congratulate the newcomer by the boards on her goal. As the period's final seconds wound down, play became sloppy again near the blue line as another turnover gave the Knights a two-one-one opportunity. Senior Brooke Beazer (Kingston, ONT) confused her defender with a series of slight jukes and skated in front of the net, depositing the puck into the goal with a backhand to give Clarkson a 3-0 lead with only 30 seconds remaining in the period. Junior Courtney O'Connor (Chicago, IL) was awarded the assist.

The third period didn't see much offense as the two teams were nearly even in shots at just 6-5 for Clarkson. The second frame saw the Knights with a much more significant lead, mirroring the first period, as Clarkson held a 15-6 lead in shots on goal.

Freshman Lauren Dahm (Baldwinsville, NY) made 14 saves to earn the shutout for the Knights while Jenesica Drinkwater and Kristen Diciocco combined to make 28 stops.