For the first time in four tries, the third-ranked Clarkson University Women’s Hockey team was victorious in the ECAC Hockey Championship as the Golden Knights defeated Cornell 1-0 on Sunday afternoon in Cheel Arena.
Clarkson has a 29-4-5 record this season. Cornell is 20-9-5 on the year. Both teams will await the NCAA Selection Show tonight at 9:00 pm, with Clarkson now assured a berth.
It was the third time that Clarkson and Cornell have met in the ECAC Championship and both times prior saw Cornell take close one-goal victories, as the Big Red earned a 4-3 overtime victory in the 2010 edition and a 1-0 win in the 2014 final. Clarkson’s other appearance in the final was in 2016 when the Green and Gold lost to Quinnipiac 1-0. This year though, it was Clarkson who prevailed by the slimmest of margins.
The only goal of the game came 7:59 into the first period. A Cornell penalty gave Clarkson a man-advantage and the Golden Knights took advantage. Clarkson worked the puck around in the offensive zone and Cassidy Vinkle fed Michaela Pejzlova who was in the right corner. Pejzlova threaded a pass to Rhyen McGill who was in the crease. McGill wasted no time and her one-time shot scored.
Clarkson controlled the first period, outshooting the Big Red 13-6 in the frame, but that changed in the second as Cornell outshot Clarkson 8-4 in the middle period. However, Shea Tiley stopped every Cornell shot to keep Clarkson ahead with just 20 minutes remaining.
Each team had a power-play opportunity early in the final period, but neither could capitalize. As the clock wound down, McGill’s goal continued to be the only score on the board. Cornell pulled its goaltender with under two minutes remaining, hoping a numbers advantage could help them send the game to overtime. However, a penalty just 23 seconds later canceled out the edge and Clarkson was able to hold off Cornell in the final minute to close out its second shutout in as many days.
Tiley made 17 saves en route to being named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament. Tiley was joined by teammates Loren Gabel, co-captain and ECAC Hockey Player of the Year Cayley Mercer, Rhyen McGill, and Ella Shelton, as well as Micah Hart of Cornell on the All-Tournament Team.
Clarkson had a 24-17 advantage in shots. The Golden Knights were 1-4 on the power-play and killed all five of Cornell’s man advantage opportunities. Tiley had the 17 saves in her fifth shutout of the season while Paula Voorheis had 23 saves in a losing effort.
Clarkson will advance to the NCAA Tournament for the fifth consecutive season with the quarterfinals being played on March 11th. The Golden Knights will find out their opponent tonight at 9:00 pm during the NCAA Selection Show.
All-Tournament Team
Goal – Shea Tiley – Clarkson
Defense – Ella Shelton – Clarkson
Defense – Micah Hart – Cornell
Forward – Cayley Mercer – Clarkson
Forward – Rhyen McGill – Clarkson
Forward – Loren Gabel – Clarkson
MOP – SHEA TILEY – CLARKSON
