The combination of strong defensive play, backstop in goal by senior Shea Tiley (Owen Sound, ONT), and the offensive output from its top line proved to be a winning formula again for the Clarkson University Women’s Hockey team on Saturday. The Green and Gold defeated Penn State 2-0 for the second consecutive game at Pegula Ice Arena in University Park, PA, improving their record to 5-0-1 and extending their unbeaten streak to 22 games (20-0-2), dating back to January 20.
Tiley was called upon to make just 13 saves in picking up her second straight shutout and third whitewash of the young season. The Golden Knights’ line of junior left wing Loren Gabel (Kitchener, ONT), sophomore center Michaela Pejzlova (Pardubice Czech Rep.) and freshman right wing Elizabeth Giguere (Quebec City, QUE) provided the scoring.
Pejzlova tallied the only goal Clarkson would need late in the first period. With less than four minutes to play in the opening frame, Pejzlova took a pass from along the left boards by Gabel at center ice, skated past a Nittany Lion defender and finished off a move in front, slipping in her second goal of the season at 16:51. Giguere also assisted.
After a scoreless second period, the Knights added an insurance marker early in the final stanza when Gabel stuffed in a wrap-around shot at 4:23 for her fourth goal of the year. Junior Cassidy Vinkle (Belleville, ONT) assisted.
The Knights had 28 shots on goal. Clarkson killed off all six of Penn State’s (1-4-1) power-play chances, and went scoreless in its only man-advantage opportunity.
Clarkson, with Tiley playing every minute, has allowed only six goals through the first six games. Tiley has 27 career shutouts.
The defending National Champions return to the North Country for a home-and-home, non-league series against archrival St. Lawrence this weekend. The Knights play at Appleton Arena in Canton on Friday in a 3:30 p.m. start and then host the Saints on Saturday in a 3:00 p.m. contest. Prior to the game, Clarkson will raise its second National Championship banner, honoring the 2017 NCAA title.
