A three-game winning streak came to a close for the Clarkson University Women’s Hockey team as Syracuse University handed the Golden Knights a 3-1 loss in non-conference action at Cheel Arena on Friday afternoon. Three different players scored for the Orange and Jenesica Drinkwater posted 36 saves as Syracuse snapped a three-game losing skid.

The Golden Knights, at 4-7-1 overall, return to ECAC Hockey action this Tuesday when they host St. Lawrence University at 7:00 p.m. Clarkson is 2-0-0 in league action. Syracuse improves its record to 5-5-1 overall.

After a 1-1 tie through the opening 20 minutes, Syracuse, despite being out shot 21-7 in the middle frame, gained the lead in the second period. The Orange scored in the opening minute of the stanza and again in the final 30 seconds of the period for a 3-1 advantage through 40 minutes.

Megan Skelly put the Orange in front just 57 seconds into the second when she scored her fourth goal of the season off an assist from Julie Rising on a 2-on-1 break. Isabel Menard set up the play with a long pass to start the odd-man rush. With 16 seconds left in the stanza, Ashley Cockell’s shot from the right circle deflected off the shoulder of Clarkson senior goaltender Lauren Dahm (Baldwinsville, NY) and into the back of the net.

The Knights out shot the visitors again the third period, by a 10-7 margin, but could not get back on the scoreboard as they suffered their first loss at home since early October.

After a slow start to the contest, which saw both teams put just one shot on goal each through the opening seven minutes, Syracuse and Clarkson combined for a pair of goals less then two minutes apart in the later stages of the stanza. At 14:43, Jacquie Greco put the Orange on top 1-0 with her first goal of the season, connecting on a shot from the top of the right circle. Clarkson came right back to tie when senior Daris Tendler (Verwood, SASK) tallied her first goal of the season, finishing off a pass across the crease from junior Gabrielle Kosziwka (Limehouse, ONT) during a 2-on-1 rush at 16:43.

Clarkson out shot Syracuse 37-21, but struggled on the power play going 0-of-7 with the man-advantage. The Orange were 0-of-6 on the power play.

Dahm made 11 saves on 14 shots through two periods before freshman Erica Howe (Ottawa, ONT) came on in relief in the third. Howe turned aside all seven shots she faced in the final period.