Seniors Brooke Webster and Kirsten Padalis scored power play goals in a span of 32 seconds to lead the St. Lawrence University women’s hockey team back from a 1-0 deficit to defeat fourth-ranked Clarkson University 2-1 in a non-league game at Appleton Arena on Friday night.
With the win, the Saints improved to 3-0-0 on the season, with all three wins coming against nationally ranked opponents. St. Lawrence opened the season last weekend with a two-game sweep of Northeastern at Matthews Arena in Boston. Clarkson fell to 2-1-0.
Loren Gable scored the first goal of the game early in the second period for the Golden Knights, taking a pass from Kelly Mariani in the neutral zone and splitting two St. Lawrence defenders before beating Saints’ goaltender Grace Harrison high on the glove side.
Webster tied the game just three minutes, five seconds later, setting up in the slot and one-timing Kennedy Marchment’s pass from behind the net for her fifth goal of the season.
Clarkson was assessed a penalty after the goal and picked up another just eight seconds later, setting up a 5-on-3 opportunity for the Saints. Padalis took advantage, sniping a wrist shot from the left circle off a pass by Marchment for her first goal of the season to give the Saints their first lead of the game.
The game was marked by numerous penalties and power play opportunities. St. Lawrence was assessed 10 penalties, while Clarkson had seven. The Saints were 2-for-7 on the power play and held the Golden Knights scoreless in nine power play opportunities, including a 5-on-3 opportunity for a minute and 13 seconds late in the third period.
“There wasn’t much flow to the game tonight, but obviously we’re excited about the result,” said St. Lawrence head coach Chris Wells ’92. “We battled late to hold off the Clarkson power play, which moves the puck very well.”
St. Lawrence outshot the Golden Knights 26-19; Harrison made 18 saves for the Saints, while Shea Tiley stopped 24 shots for Clarkson.
The two teams will meet for another non-conference game on Saturday at 3 p.m.
“It will be another tight game tomorrow,” said Wells. “We will enjoy this for a quick bit, then focus on the game at Clarkson.”
