Weekend Update: Play is Underway

ALBANY, N.Y. - Four ECAC Hockey women’s programs officially began their 2011-12 campaigns yesterday all on the road in non-league action. Nationally-ranked Quinnipiac fell to No. 9 Mercyhurst, 4-0 in game one of a two-game set. Clarkson overcame a sluggish start to salvage a 3-3 overtime tie at Vermont. RPI also earned a 3-3 overtime tie in its visit to Connecticut. Union in a gamely effort fell to Minnesota, 6-1 in the first day of the East/West Showcase. Two ECAC Hockey teams concluded exhibition play with Colgate edging Queen’s, 4-3 and St. Lawrence coming up short against McGill, 2-1 in Canton.

Clarkson 3 at Vermont 3 (ot)
*The Golden Knights trailed 3-0 just 12 minutes after the opening faceoff against the Catamounts before regrouping and dominating the second and third periods.
*Clarkson outshot Vermont 40-27, including a 26-14 margin over the second and third periods. Both teams had two shots apiece in the five-minute overtime session.
*Sophomore Erica Howe made 24 saves for the Golden Knights. Roxanne Douville posted 37 saves for the Catamounts.

At No. 8 Mercyhurst 4, No. 9 Quinnipiac 0
*Bobcats’ junior goaltender Victoria Vigilanti turned away 30 shots in the loss, while her counterpart Hillary Pattenden made 20 saves for Mercyhurst.
*Sophomore Kelly Babstock led Quinnipiac with five shots in the game, followed by junior Brittany Lyons' three shots. Overall, the Bobcats were outshot, 34-20.
*Four different Lakers found the back of the net for the Lakers.
*The Lakers were 1-for-3 with the player advantage while the Bobcats failed in three similar chances.

At No. 4 Minnesota 6, Union 1
*Freshman Camille Corbin tallied her first-career goal Friday night in the Dutchwomen's opening game of the 2011-12 season in the East/West Showcase.
*Team captains Sarah Erickson and Jen Schoullis led the way for the Golden Gophers as Erickson (1g, 3a) tallied four points on the night while Schoullis (2g, 1a) had three points.
*Minnesota gave Union five power-play chances in the game, but Minnesota killed four of five chances. Minnesota had three power-play opportunities and converted on one.

Rensselaer 3 at Connecticut 3 (ot)
*Junior forward Taylor Horton tallied two goals, including the game-tying marker at 16:22 of the third period to help lift Rensselaer to a 3-3 draw against Connecticut at Freitas Arena in the season opener.
*RPI finished with a 24-17 advantage in shots for the game, backstopped by a 14-save performance from Brianna Piper in her collegiate debut. Alexandra Garcia had 21 saves for the Huskies.
*In the extra frame, UConn outshot RPI 3-0, but was unable to capitalize.

At Colgate 4, Queen’s 3 (Ex.)
*The Raiders won their second and final exhibition game of the 2011-12 season by defeating Queen's, 4-3 at home.
*Sophomore Taylor Volpe led the Raiders with two goals while freshman Katie Case and junior Brittany Phillips scored one goal each. Case also had an assist in the game. The Raiders outshot Queen's, 26-13.
*Colgate will open the 2011-12 season next weekend with a pair of road contests against New Hampshire and Northeastern Friday, Oct. 7 and Saturday Oct. 8 respectively.

McGill 2 at St. Lawrence 1 (Ex.)
*Martlet goaltender Charline Labonte, a member of Canada's Olympic team, turned in a 31-save performance improving her record at McGill to 136-10-3 and Ann-Sophie Bettez scored the game-winner with 5:32 remaining in regulation, leading McGill past the Saints, 2-1.
*St. Lawrence goaltender Caitlyn Lahonen turned in a quality start for the home team, notching 23 saves including nine in the third period.
*St. Lawrence will face Clarkson in the regular-season opener Saturday Appleton Arena, with the puck scheduled to drop at 7 p.m. Prior to the game at 3:45 p.m., former St. Lawrence players will take on former Clarkson players in an alumnae game.

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