A third-period goal broke the deadlock as the fourth-ranked Clarkson University Women’s Hockey team went into Princeton’s building and knocked off the eighth-ranked Tigers 2-1.
Clarkson improves to 24-3-4 overall and 12-3-4 in conference while Princeton is now 19-6-1 overall and has a 12-6-1 ECAC Hockey record. Clarkson is now three points behind Quinnipiac for first in the conference and three ahead of Princeton and Colgate who are tied for fourth. Clarkson is now unbeaten in 12 straight games, which ties a season high for the Golden Knights.
“Obviously tonight was a big game for us so it was good to see the team put in a great effort,” stated Head Coach Matt Desrosiers. “I thought we were pretty solid from top to bottom throughout the line up tonight which has been a big reason for our success lately. We are going to need everyone playing hard again tomorrow to come away with bother win.”
Although Clarkson dominated the first period, outshooting Princeton 14-6, neither team was able to open the scoring. The breakthrough finally came for Clarkson 7:44 into the second period when sophomore Amanda Titus scored off a pass from freshman Rhyen McGill with freshman Emma Keenan adding an assist.
Clarkson’s lead was short lived. Less than seven minutes after going behind, Princeton tied the score with a power-play goal. Kelsey Koelzer had the finishing touch with Molly Strabley and Kimberly Newell setting her up.
The decisive goal came 6:42 into the final period. Sophomore Brielle Bellerive scored the game-winning goal on her first tally of the year, with sophomore Katelyn Fournier and freshman Cassidy Vinkle picking up the assists.
Clarkson finished with a 32-18 edge in shots. Clarkson failed to score on both its extra man opportunities while Princeton took advantage of one of its two power-plays. Sophomore goaltender Shea Tiley made 17 saves for Clarkson while Kimberly Newell made 30 stops for the Tigers.
Clarkson will next travel to Quinnipiac, hoping to reverse a four-game losing streak against the Bobcats and extend the race for the ECAC Hockey regular season title to the final weekend of the season.
