RPI Hands Knights First Home Loss

Photo by Jim Meagher

Potsdam, NY - A bout with the flu bug and an historically tough opponent combined to end the third-ranked Clarkson University Women's Hockey team's unbeaten run at home Friday night, as Rensselaer showed why it could be a tough out in the upcoming ECAC Hockey playoffs as the Golden Knights were upended 3-1 at Cheel Arena.

The Golden Knights, still in first place in the ECAC Hockey standings at 19-7-3 overall and 13-3-1 in league games, will look to get back on track against Union College on Saturday afternoon. Rensselaer moved to 9-4-4 in ECAC Hockey, and improved to 12-10-6 overall.

Clarkson jumped on the scoreboard first after a vicious wrist shot from senior Dominique Thibault (L'Orignal) found the back of the net for the Knights at 8:57. The senior skated to the top of the right circle and held the puck before unleashing a pinpoint shot that whipped past Sonja van der Bliek, right over the freshman's stick-side shoulder, top shelf.

The advantage was short-lived, however, as senior Allysen Weidner scored on a backhand off her own rebound in front of the Clarkson goal following the initial save from Clarkson keeper Lauren Dahm (Baldwinsville, NY). Laura Gersten was awarded the assist. The goal came immediately following an icing call on the Knights, and the Engineers took advantage by winning the faceoff.

It appeared as if the game would go into the first intermission knotted up at 1-1, but Rensselaer was able to take the lead with just 49.2 seconds remaining in the period. Sydney O'Keefe finished off a scramble in front of the net for the 2-1 lead, with assists going to Andie LeDonne and Jill Vandegrift.

Rensselaer kept the momentum going after a 14-5 edge in shots in the first period, scoring quickly in the second period as well. With just 2:33 elapsed from the clock, Allison Wright picked up her ninth goal of the campaign when she took a shot that floated past Dahm thanks to a screen in front. LeDonne and Whitney Naslund assisted.

Clarkson's offensive chances were limited as Rensselaer frequently tipped passes away as the Knights looked to find open shooters. The strategy worked, as Clarkson's shots were limited to just 11 through the first two periods and 19 overall.  

With 1:03 remaining in the third period and the Engineers still up by two scores, Rensselaer was whistled for a penalty, and the Knights pulled Lauren Dahm from her goal for a 6-on-4 rush for the final minutes. Though Clarkson possessed the puck for the entire time, the team failed to connect on any key passes in front for scoring chances.

Dahm finished with 24 saves overall while van der Bliek made 18 saves. Clarkson was held scoreless in seven power-play chances, while Rensselaer finished without a goal in three extra-skater opportunities.