The Clarkson University Women’s Hockey team overcame a sluggish start to the 2011-12 campaign to battle back and gain a 3-3 tie on the road against the University of Vermont at Gutterson Fieldhouse in Burlington on Friday afternoon.

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.

The Green and Gold scored early and late in the middle frame to make it a one-goal game through 40 minutes. Last year’s Clarkson rookie of the Year, Carly Mercer (Exeter, ONT) started the Knights rolling when she connected for a power-play marker at 1:51 of the second stanza. Senior Juana Baribeau (Amos, QUE) and sophomore Jamie Lee Rattray (Kanata, ONT) assisted.

With 1:47 remaining in the period, freshman defenseman Daniella Matteucci (Fruitvale, BC) finished off assists from sophomore Vanessa Gagnon (St. Constant, QUE) and junior Danielle Skirrow (Trenton, ONT) for her first collegiate goal.

Another newcomer from the Knights’ highly-touted freshman class came up with tying goal when rookie Christine Lambert (Thetford Mines, QUE) scored at 5:47 of the third. Rattray, Clarkson’s leading scorer from last season, picked up her second assist of the game.

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 (Ottawa, ONT) made 24 saves for the Knights. Roxanne Douville posted 37 saves for the Catamounts.

Clarkson was 1-of-5 on the power play and shut down the Catamounts on their three man-advantage opportunities.

Vermont received goals from Krystal Baumann, at 1:07, Valerie Stoul at 5:33, and Breanne Sundquist at 11:26 of the first.

The Knights play a non-league game at archrival St. Lawrence on Saturday, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Appleton Arena in Canton.