No. 3 Clarkson Downs Dutchwomen

POTSDAM, N.Y. - Sophomore Gabrielle Kosziwka scored twice off rebounds as the third-ranked Clarkson University women's hockey team halted a two-game losing slide with a 3-0 shutout victory over Union College in ECAC Hockey action Saturday afternoon at Cheel Arena.

The Golden Knights won their 20th game of the season, the third time in the program's seven-year history that the team has reached that mark, improving to 20-7-3 overall and maintaining its first-place position in conference at 14-3-1. Union fell to 5-24-1 and 1-16-1 in ECAC Hockey.

The action was slow going in the first period as the two teams combined for just eight shots (four each), but Clarkson came away with the game-winner early. Senior Carlee Eusepi scored her fifth goal of the season just 20 seconds into a power-play opportunity. The puck was passed around the Union defense after the faceoff and found its way out to Eusepi at the top of the slot, where she rifled a shot past Dutchwomen goalkeeper Alana Marcinko, going top shelf on the glove side. Sophomore Juana Baribeau and senior captain Britney Selina each gained assists on the goal.

Things loosened up offensively in the second period as Clarkson scored quickly in the middle frame. Sophomore Kali Gillanders took a shot on goal, and Kosziwka was there to push the loose puck past the end line at 1:41 in the second period. Though Clarkson wouldn't score again until the third period, Kosziwka earned her second goal in similar fashion, this time cleaning up an errant rebound off a shot from junior Daris Tendler at 5:15 in the final period. Gillanders and Tendler each were awarded assists, as were seniors Genevieve Lavoie and Eusepi.

Junior goaltender Lauren Dahm made 14 saves in the win, her eighth shutout of the year and 18th of her career. Marcinko made 17 stops for the Dutchwomen. Clarkson held a small advantage in shots at 20-14, and the Knights were 1-for-4 on the power play while Union was scoreless in its four chances with an extra skater.

Through six all-time games at Cheel Arena, Clarkson has outscored the Dutchwomen 26-2 and the team hasn't allowed a goal in over 200 minutes.